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Düsseldorf Court Affirms Damages Claim in Emily School-Trip Death as Father Rejects €25,000 Offer

A court-ordered psychiatric evaluation will now guide any compensation after judges found the claim timely.

Overview

  • The Landgericht Düsseldorf ruled the father's civil claim is not time-barred and that state liability as the teachers’ employer is possible.
  • Judges proposed a €25,000 settlement; Kay Schierwagen declined and maintains a €125,000 demand, with his lawyer calling about €62,500 potentially discussable.
  • The court appointed a psychiatric expert to assess the extent and causation of the father's reported depression and post-traumatic stress before setting any award.
  • The bench indicated no doubts about the father's closeness to his daughter, countering defense arguments that also questioned a causal link to his illness.
  • Two teachers’ negligent-homicide convictions for failing to secure written health information before the 2019 trip provide the criminal backdrop to the civil case.