A Virginia family is accusing a funeral home of breach of contract and negligence in a $5 million lawsuit after they allegedly noticed a relative’s body was infested with maggots on the day of his viewing.
Per WCNC, the family of Torreon Williams filed the lawsuit against Snellings Funeral Home, which Hollomon-Brown owns. Williams, 24, was involved in a May 2022 car crash that took his life.
In the wake of his death, Williams’ mother, Tabitha Worrell, made a $3,000 payment for funeral costs that covered sanitary care and the dressing of her son’s body. On the day of his funeral, however, court documents states that Williams’ family noticed his face and body had been infested with maggots.
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The family’s attorney, Kevin Sharp, informed the news outlet that Williams’ mother and family were left traumatized by what they saw that day.
“Hollomon-Brown was entrusted with the responsibility of providing this young man a dignified viewing —one that would allow his family to mourn his passing with grace and respect,” said Sharp. “Instead, Hollomon-Brown subjected them to an unimaginable horror, an experience so traumatic it continues to haunt them to this day.”
The lawsuit alleges that the state of Williams’ body triggered a response from his mother, but an employee neared her and said, “don’t you make a scene,” WCNC reported. The lawsuit also states that a different employee explained that flies had gotten to Williams, hence the state of his body.
“Defendants are or should be aware of the necessity for preparation and proper presentation of the appropriate deceased individuals and the treatment of importance of same to surviving family and friends,” the lawsuit claims.
Williams’ family in the lawsuit is also accusing the funeral home of causing them emotional distress. The Chesapeake Circuit Court is scheduled to hear the case on July 28.
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