They argued that had employees installed the gate properly and secured it with an $8 padlock, Nakajjigos death could have been prevented, This decision serves as a reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and safety measures in our national parks, so as to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, Michaud said in, on Monday. The gate narrowly missed Michaud, who was driving. Esther Nakajjigo was killed at Arches National Park in 2020. Though the amount was substantially less than pursued, attorneys representing the family of Esther Nakajjigo celebrated the judgment, saying it was the largest federal wrongful death verdict in Utah history. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. According to the official statement from Wilson Jaga, the communications head for the office of the Ugandan Women and Girls, Nakajjigo was hit by a metallic gate of the Arches National Park due. Nakajjigo's family sued the government for the largest federal award ever asked for in both state and national history, according to plaintiffs' attorney Randi McGinn, seeking $140 million in damages. Nakajjigos remains were flown back to Uganda in August. Nakajjigo created a reality TV show that helped child mothers stay in school and develop life skills, according to The Denver Post. Michaud hopes he and Nakajjigos family can continue her legacy. The large monetary damages being sought on behalf of Michaud and Nakajjigos parents are a reflection of the suffering they have gone through plus the loss of Nakajjigos future income and fundraising abilities, Chang said. Esther Nakajjigo was beheaded after the wind whipped a metal gate round cutting into the passenger side of the car, Esther Nakajjigo with her husband Ludovic Michaud, A picture of the gates that led to the young woman's death. The amount was far less than the $140 million Nakajjigos family originally sought. National parks begin to reopen across the country. This decision serves as a reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and safety measures in our national parks, so as to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, Michaud said in a statement to CBS News on Monday. The wind whipped a metal. On Monday, a federal judge in Utah ruled that the. The family of Esther Nakajjigo accused the National Park Service of negligence for not properly securing the metal gate that killed her. In opening statements Monday in Salt Lake City, their attorneys said they were seeking $140 million (115m) in damages from the government accounting for Esther's earning potential. Theres a newsletter that went out to all the parks and the National Park Service that warned of this decades ago. She was named as Ugandas ambassador for women and girls and received an award from the United Nations after she used her university tuition money to start a non-profit community centre that offered free healthcare to girls and women aged 10 to 24. Though the amount was substantially less than pursued, attorneys representing the family of Esther Nakajjigo celebrated the judgement . The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax Esther Nakajjigo was decapitated at Arches National Park in Utah after wind swung an untethered metal gate into her car, killing her immediately as her husband sat in the seat next to her. By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's. FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Nakajjigo also created a reality television show in Uganda focused on helping teenage mothers stay in school and learn life skills. Michaud and his in-laws are asking a federal judge for $140 million. Opening arguments began Monday in Salt Lake City in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of a 25-year-old women's rights activist from Uganda who was killed by a wind-blown gate during a camping trip to Arches National Park in June 2020. Ugandan newlywed Esther Nakajjigo, 25, was visiting Arches National Park in Utah in June 2020 when she was struck and killed by a metal pole attached to a traffic control gate. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Denver7's Lance Hernandez reports. "We respect the judges decision and hope this award will help her loved ones as they continue to heal for this tragedy," added the U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah. The gate had been left unlatched against federal policy for two weeks prior to the tragic accident in June 2020. deductible, Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. Nakajjigo was not sure where she wanted to work whether it was in the U.S., back in Uganda or elsewhere but Michaud was willing to follow her wherever she could continue to make the most impact. Even simple tasks like cooking rice stored in a jar that Nakajjigo bought before her death feel paralyzing, he said. The family are arguing that the US Park Service was negligent and did not properly maintain the gates at the entrances and exits to the parks, leading to their loved one's death. At age 17, Nakajjigo was recognized by the United Nations for her work for women, according to the claim. 45 Join Insider . Esther Nakajjigo had been visiting Utah's Arches National Park when she was killed by a gate caught in the wind. Continuing her work brings him hope; he's already started a nonprofit in her name, the Esther Nakajjigo Foundation. By his verdict, Judge Bruce Jenkins has shown the world how the American justice system works to hold its own government accountable and greatly values all lives, including that of Esther Nakajjigo, a remarkable young woman from Uganda, Randi McGinn, the familys attorney said in a statement. They were driving toward the exit when suddenly a gust of wind lifted a metal gate and the arm swung into the roadway. The United States will pay more than $10 million in damages over the death of Esther Nakajjigo, a . Though the amount was substantially less than pursued, attorneys representing the family of Esther Nakajjigo celebrated the judgement, [] All rights reserved. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Ms Nakajjigos husband said his wifes death was the worst thing I hope I will ever see. The 25-year-old human rights activist and newlywed wife. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax Having received numerous international accolades and awards, Nakajjigo came to the United States to further her education, where she met Michaud a video streaming technology solution architect via a dating app. Michaud said he and Nakajjigo were two weeks shy of closing on a condo when the accident occurred, with hopes of owning a house down the road. She was named Ugandas ambassador for women and girls. Esther Nakajjigo, a 25-year-old Ugandan human rights activist, was killed in a horrific accident at Arches National Park on June 13, 2020. Something went wrong, please try again later. The. What awaited them there was as awful as it was unthinkable. For this work, the United Nations Population Fund gave her the Woman Achiever Award. First published on November 12, 2020 / 2:34 PM. But an attorney for her parents and husband said they were grateful for the judgment, which represents the largest federal wrongful death verdict in Utah history. Attorneys representing Michaud and Nakajjigos parents asked for $140 million in damages, while the government said an appropriate award would be roughly $3.5 million. While much less than they were initially seeking, the family was clearly pleased with the results -- with attorney Zoe Littlepage calling the amount "the largest verdict from a federal judge in Utah history.". Courtesy Ludovic Michaud Nakajjigo. The gruesome nature of Nakajjigo's death and the fact that she was a renowned Ugandan women's rights activist drew widespread attention to the case. in the two-plus years since his wife, Esther "Essie" Nakajjigo, was hit and killed by an unsecured gate while the couple was leaving Arches National Park. The French national said he and his wife, who had only been married for three months and lived in Denver, Colorado, had been on a hike and had lunch before driving out of the park. The National Park Service has not commented in relation to the new lawsuit but has previously released a statement expressing sympathy for the young womans death. She added that the plaintiffs' assumption that Nakajjigo would have taken a salary "far in excess" of most nonprofit CEOs is "simply contrary to everything the court has heard about her," Berndt said. . This photo was taken in the hours before a gate swung into the couple's car, killing Nakajjigo. Fox13 reports the metal. He and his wife, Esther Nakajjigo, who had moved to Colorado from Uganda, went to Utah as a welcome break from being quarantined. Esther Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud at Arches National Park in eastern Utah in the hours before a gate swung into the couple's car, killing Nakajjigo. We dont know with any level of certainty what her plans were, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nelson said. The administrative claim is a legally required precursor to a lawsuit, which is expected to be filed in about six months. 72 Join Insider . "I'm doing whatever I can to get better. In 2020, Ludovic Michaud was driving with his 25-year-old wife Esther Nakajjigo out of Utah's Arches National Park to get ice cream on June 13 when a metal gate swung into the car and cut her. Just as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the U.S., Michaud, a video streaming technology solution architect who is originally from France, and Nakajjigo decided they wanted to marry. The gate reportedly smashed through the side of the car and struck Nakajjigo . Esther Nakajjigo, a native of Uganda, accomplished more at age 25 than most do in a lifetime. The sum they are seeking has not been disclosed, however a previous claim filed by the family against the National Park Service which is the step before a lawsuit can be filed asked for more than $A351 million. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, was driving around the stunning Arches National Park in Utah, US, in 2020 along with her husband Ludovic Michaud when the unthinkable happened. Seven people have been rushed to hospital after severe turbulence on a flight led to an emergency landing. The federal trial began Monday in Utah, where the husband and family of Nakajjigo are seeking $140 million in damages from the U.S. government, arguing in a complaint that the national park was negligent and failed to properly maintain the gate. Ms Nakajjigo worked to improve education and rights for women and teenage girls in her home country of Uganda and advocated to reduce rates of teenage pregnancy. She was always willing to help, he said. During the trials opening statements in December, Nakajjigo was described as a pearl beyond price with limitless potential, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. Nakajjigo, who was 25, lived with her husband in Denver, where she moved to attend a leadership course on a full scholarship. The gruesome nature of Nakajjigo's death and the fact that she was a renowned Ugandan women's rights activist drew widespread attention to the case. "On behalf of the United States, we again extend our condolences to Ms. Nakajjigos friends, family and beloved community. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, was on a trip to the Utah park with her . It's really a full-time job," he said. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. The family of Ugandan philanthropist Esther Nakajjigo, who was decapitated by a traffic gate in front of her husband in Arches National Park in Utah, has been awarded $10.5m. Arches National Park is best known for its pristine sandstone arches and its massive red Delicate Arch, which has featured in countless Instagram photos.. On October 22, Michaud filed a wrongful death claim against the US National Parks Service seeking . The newly married Michaud and Nakajjigo took a weekend trip to Arches National Park as a welcome break after months of lockdown amid the pandemic, court documents said. Nakajjigo was a women's rights champion in her home country of Uganda; she founded a nonprofit community health center using her college tuition money, and created two reality TV shows centered around empowering women. Estimated read time: 5-6 The family of a women's rights activist from Uganda has filed a $270 million administrative claim against the National Park Service after she was killed by an . Nakajjigo donated her own college fund to start a hospital, Berndt said; she raised money for charities and never took a salary. The smaller projection takes into account only the averages of a statistical black woman, she said; while the higher projections factor in that Nakajjigo was a real, extraordinary person. McGinn argued that the smaller projections were based on categories of evaluation not allowed for under Utah law. Berndt said her team in no way believes Nakajjigo was an average person, and that using reliable data to estimate her lost earnings isn't a value judgment of Nakajjigo. The United States will pay more than $10 million in damages over the death of Esther Nakajjigo, a prominent Ugandan human rights activist killed in Arches National Park in 2020. Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludovic Michaud, were vacationing in eastern Utah, visiting the regions national parks months after their wedding. Attorneys representing the U.S. commended her work, yet noted her most recent job was working at a restaurant making $15 per hour. Si vous ne souhaitez pas que nos partenaires et nousmmes utilisions des cookies et vos donnes personnelles pour ces motifs supplmentaires, cliquez sur Refuser tout. Esther Nakajjigo was a Ugandan human rights activist and newlywed wife when the 25-year-old was killed at Arches National Park in 2020, decapitated by an unsecured gate that is now at the center of a wrongful death trial. US attorneys have said this claim was too speculative to be used as a basis for damages. The ruling was. What if they had gone on a different day, or left at a different time? Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. (Julie Jacobson | AP file photo) A Denver man has filed a $270 million wrongful death claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, against the National Park Service after a metal gate at Arches National Park collided collided with his car on June 13, killing his wife. She rose from poverty to become the host of a solutions-oriented reality television series in Uganda focused on empowering women on issues such as education and healthcare, and had successfully raised funds to build health care facilities in her hometown. "Because (Nakajjigo) is off the charts, you can't use the charts to evaluate her," McGinn said. You wouldnt able to detect it or see it, she told Fox 13. Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. The family of a human rights activist killed in a freak accident at Utah's Arches State Park won $10.5 million in damages from the U.S. government. The claim, served Oct. 22, is seeking more than $270 million in damages from the National Park Service. Pour en savoir plus sur la faon dont nous utilisons vos donnes personnelles, veuillez consulter notre politique relative la vie prive et notre politique en matire de cookies. One time it was the delivery of her Social Security card; another time, an update on her immigration status. Nakajjigo was killed instantly. New pill cuts cholesterol, heart attacks, Suspect in Dylan Rounds disappearance charged with murder. But when she met Michaud in June 2019 in Aurora, Colorado, through a dating app, he just saw her as a smart person who loved to laugh. He was "instantly covered with blood," the complaint says. Ms McGinn described Nakajjigo as a prominent womens rights activist who rose from poverty to become the host of a solutions-oriented reality television series in Uganda focused on empowering women around issues such as education and healthcare. The National Park Service did not respond to repeated inquiries from NBC News, nor did Arches National Park Chief Ranger Scott Brown. At age 17, she used her college tuition money to start a nonprofit community health center, which provided free reproductive health services to young women and girls. During the trials opening statements in December, Nakajjigo was described as a pearl beyond price with limitless potential. By age 25, when she died, she had accomplished more than most people do in an entire lifetime and had much more to do with her life, court documents state. "On behalf of the family, we are very appreciative of the judge's attention to detail, the time he spent working on this, and for the value he put on the loss to this family of Essie," added Littlepage. Esther Nakajjigo and her husband were visiting the regions national parks months after their wedding. She later created a pair of reality television shows designed to empower women. Chang expects to file the lawsuit in about six months. Nakajjigo married Denver man Ludovic Michaud in March 2020. The family of a Ugandan young girl child activist, Esther Nakajjigo who died in the United States of America (USA) have asked government to help them repatriate her body, to be accorded a decent burial. But an attorney for her parents and husband said they were grateful for the judgment, which represents the largest federal wrongful death verdict in Utah history, the Associated Press reported. Instead, the Utah park became the site of a horrific accident that killed her. afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss en fonction de vos profils de centres dintrt; mesurer lefficacit des publicits et contenus personnaliss; et. Michaud's wife, Esther Nakajjigo, 25, was a celebrated human rights activist in her home country of Uganda. In the opening statements of the wrongful death lawsuit, attorneys representing Michaud and Nakajjigos family recounted the moment Michaud realised his wife had been killed. There is a lot of small things I miss.. None. She was subsequently named Ugandas ambassador for women and girls. The gruesome nature of Nakajjigos death and the fact that she was a renowned Ugandan womens rights activist drew widespread attention to the case. At age 17, she used her college tuition money to start a nonprofit community health center, which provided free reproductive health services to young women and girls. Ms Nakajjigo met Mr Michaud after she relocated to the US, where she was awarded the Luff Peace Fellowship by the University of Boulder in Colorado. The gruesome nature of Nakajjigo's death and the fact that she was a renowned Ugandan women's rights activist drew widespread attention to the case. One of his regrets is not saying, "I love you," one more time. Ludovic Michaud was driving around the scenic red rock landscapes of Utah's Arches National Park on a windy spring day in 2020 when something unthinkable happened: A metal gate whipped around,.
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