Cooma nursing home Taser victim Clare Nowland’s family sue NSW government for up to $1.25M

The family of a 95-year-old great-grandmother who died after allegedly being Tasered in her nursing home by police is suing the state.

Clare Nowland, 95, died after being tasered by police. Picture: Supplied

The family of a 95-year-old great-grandmother who died after allegedly being Tasered by police inside her Cooma nursing home has launched legal action against the state.

Clare Nowland’s family is suing the state government on Tuesday in the NSW District Court, almost two months on from the incident that shocked the nation.

The civil matter was heard before the Bega District Court registry and was adjourned for six weeks, without appearing before a judge.

It is understood Mrs Nowland’s family is suing the State of NSW under a trespass to person claim, a section of the civil law that includes assaults.

Civil claims in the NSW District Court can range from $100,000 up to as much as $1.25 million.

The family of Clare Nowland, the 95-year-old dementia patient who died after allegedly being tasered by police, is suing the state government.

The total damages being sought by Mrs Nowland’s family is not known.

Mrs Nowland was allegedly tasered by Senior Constable Kristian White in Yallambee Lodge nursing home in the early hours of May 17.

It is alleged that the elderly woman, who suffered from dementia, was holding a knife at the time of the incident.

She passed away a week later on May 24.

Mrs Nowland was suffering from dementia when NSW Police were called to Yallambee Lodge in Cooma, where they allegedly found her holding a knife. Picture: Sam Turner

White has since been charged by police with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault.

He remains on bail and is next due in court on September 6.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb, other senior staff and Police Minister Yasmin Catley came under fire in the aftermath of the incident, after it was revealed an initial press release described the Tasering as simply an “interaction”.