Kin of Wal-Mart Stampede Victim to Sue New York County

February 23, 2009

Relatives of a worker trampled to death in a crush of post-Thanksgiving bargain-hunters at a New York Wal-Mart have filed court papers indicating they intend to sue Nassau County and its police department.

A notice of claim — the first step toward suing a municipality — was filed Tuesday in state Supreme Court. It claims the Long Island county and police were negligent, careless and reckless before the Nov. 28 stampede in Valley Stream that killed Jdimytai “Jimmy” Damour.

Nassau County Attorney Lorna Goodman says the claims have no merit.

The family’s lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and others was dropped after the relatives changed lawyers but they say they will refile it.