The wrongful death lawsuit surrounding Deborah Green’s death is set for trial on February 3, shedding light on the tragic incident at Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School. On January 13, 2023, 57-year-old Green reportedly tripped on a cracked, muddy sidewalk and became trapped in a metal fence. Her estate is suing the city of Hudson, the Hudson Board of Education, the Hudson City School District, and the Hudson Police Department for negligence, claiming inadequate sidewalk maintenance and alleged mishandling during the rescue by Hudson police, which may have worsened her injuries. James J. Burns, representing the city and police, called the case "a very strange circumstance" and clarified the police’s limited role in safely removing Green from the fence. No specific monetary amount has been declared, though it surpasses the civil cap of $50,000.