Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

City Slapped With Another Blizzageddon Wrongful Death Suit


By

Garth Johnston

Published Feb 25, 2011

Modified Feb 25, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Navid J's Flickr

 


By

Garth Johnston

Published Feb 25, 2011

Modified Feb 25, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Last month saw two wrongful death lawsuits against the city in regards to the December Blizzageddon and now we can add a third to the list. On the morning of Monday, December 27, 2010—the day after the worst of the blizzard—the son of Bed-Stuy resident Lillie Cockburn, 56, found his mother lying unconscious on the floor. He quickly got her back in bed and called 911, around 7 a.m., and waited for help. Nobody came. He tried again at 1 p.m. but again, no ambulance came. Finally a family member helped drive her to the hospital, it was too late. According to doctors, Cockburn died of dramatically lowered blood pressure.

According to the family, hospital personnel told them that day that they could have saved Lillie's life if she had only arrived earlier. And so now the family has filed "a multi-million dollar" suit over her death. We've put in calls to the family's lawyer, Salvatore Marino, to find out just how much the family is seeking and have yet to hear back. But if the suits filed last month are any indication, we're guessing it will be in the range of $20 million.

Tagged

bed stuy

blizzageddon

blizzard 2010

brooklyn

lillie cockburn

wrongful death suit


Garth Johnston

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Staten Island fire injures two, but spares historic 'Godfather' church

Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.

By

Giulia Heyward

Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET


Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law

Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.

By

Gino Fanelli

News

Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law

Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.

By

Gino Fanelli


NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting

By

Ryan Kost

and

Elizabeth Kim

Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home

By

Ryan Kost

Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.

By

Catalina Gonella


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .