An unusual case involving an 84-year-old Manhattan immigrant and a January 19 confrontation with police is an example of how mishandling public safety can lead to enormous financial liabilities for a local government.
January 27 reports in the New York Daily News online show an extreme police response regarding an alleged case of jaywalking that appears to have been a debatable cause for police to get involved in the first place.
The case also involves the citizen’s limited ability to speak and understand English, which, along with other factors, led to personal injury that appears to be well beyond the scope of what’s usual and allowed by local police protocol. The police action in this case seems unwarranted and even brutal, and with legal representation, the plaintiff is seeking a significant amount of money from those responsible.
According to reports, the victim, who was detained and injured by police January 19, speaks only Cantonese and Spanish. A detailed and documented report of the incident shows police responding with extreme force to the confusion of the supposed jaywalker, who is now a plaintiff in a $5 million case.
The New York Daily News story also traces the victim’s long life, which includes no police record and a history of hard work and honest civic behavior. A New York City personal injury law firm can use these sorts of details to further promote a case against a police department where excessive force is alleged.
Local Government Responsibility
It’s one thing when lack of public safety leads to the injury of a pedestrian, but when that injury is deliberately caused by police officers, the result becomes a vast potential liability for government administration.
When a New York City personal injury law firm is involved in these kinds of cases, attorneys will look carefully at what actually happened on the street, and how an accident and injury unfolded. When legal teams can prove wrongdoing by governments or their proxies, the resulting settlements can be in the millions of dollars, as in this case, where the plaintiff’s legal presentation is seeking a $5 million award.
These kinds of incidents are also large public relations fiascoes for a city government, and require dedicated responses by those higher up in an administration. They often involve a lot off public scrutiny, and some back and forth about the outcomes involved. Although $5 million is a lot of money, those who understand the normal workings of the justice system know why that money is being paid out; not only to help with the pain and suffering that was caused, but to send a powerful message that these sorts of injuries are not condoned by the courts.
Legal Assistance for Personal Injury
If you’ve been injured in the city of New York or elsewhere in New York state, call a New York City personal injury law firm with experience helping local residents: the attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff LLP can help you to work through your case and look at reasonable compensation for the costs of medical care and recovery, including lost wages and other economic or emotional hardships. Talk to us about the circumstances of an accident, and we will help you to protect your family’s finances, and your future.
