Former NY Yankee Jim Leyritz Settles Wrongful Death Suit

Former New York Yankees slugger Jim Leyritz settled a wrongful death lawsuit in connection with a fatal 2007 DUI accident, according to the New York Daily News. But he still faces criminal manslaughter charges for the Dec. 28, 2007 accident.

The family of victim Fredia Ann Veitch was awarded damages of $250,000, which will be paid out by the Jim Leyritz's insurance company. He also will be required to pay the family an additional $1,000 per month for 100 months, slightly more than eight years.

Sam Coffey, the New York personal injury lawyer representing the Veitch family, expressed the family's sense of closure and also addressed the former Yankee's financial situation:

"Documents show he has nothing but his major league pension. The only way to pay the family was over the course of time."

Fredia Ann Veitch was survived by her two children, now ages 7 and 15.

The attorney for Jim Leyritz told reporters that the settlement is no admission of liability, even though he already has been convicted of a DUI for the collision that claimed Fredia Ann Veitch's life. Attorney Jeff Ostrow talked to reporters after the settlement was reached:

"Though our position is that Mr. Leyritz was not responsible for this in the first place, we, and Jim, wanted the family, especially the children, to be compensated."

That still sounds confusing, since an alcohol-fueled collision was precisely the reason Fredia Ann Veitch is no longer living. But in legal parlance, a settlement is not an admission of liability.

As explained by FindLaw, criminal charges related to manslaughter or murder are considered crimes against the state. Wrongful death lawsuits, on the other hand, have to do with the liability of one party who allegedly caused another person's death.

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