A jury awarded $13.2 million to the two children of a man who died after a confrontation with police in Southern California three years ago. The jury found that Anaheim officers were negligent and used unreasonable force against the man.
About Police Excessive Force
Police are in charge of protecting our nation’s people. These civil servants have a difficult job involving danger many people will never see in a lifetime. However, this doesn’t give the brave men and women wearing the badge free reign to inflict their own brand of justice on the American public. In 2014, police killed at least 253 unarmed people. Almost 100 of these people were stopped for basic traffic violations before being shot. Over 1,000 men, women, and children were killed by police officers last year alone.
Police Excessive Force Kills Anaheim Man
During an arrest, officers used a stun gun and a restraint hold to subdue a 32-year-old man, who was under the influence of narcotics. However, the man complains about nothing being able to breath multiple times. The man died from complications of asphyxia.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office found the two officers’ actions justified. Valenzuela’s family filed a federal wrongful-death lawsuit against the city. They claim he did not have a weapon and was not a threat. After the incident, the man was not responding, so paramedics took him to a nearby hospital. There, the man suffered three heart attacks before being removed from life support.
Even though the district cleared the officers of any wrongdoing, the family knew this was not right. The man did not commit any serious crimes nor was he armed. The submission hold officers used applied pressure to both sides of his neck that cut off blood flow to his brain. This is police excessive force, and the jury agreed.
Jurors awarded $11.4 million to the minor son and $1.8 million for the younger daughter. At the time of their father’s death, they were 9 and 5 years old respectively.
Free Police Wrongful Death Consultation
High profile cases of police brutality are reported by the media, however, there are many cases of excessive force that is never investigated. However, the knowledegable attorneys at The Michael Brady Lynch Firm will ensure a court heard your case. Our experienced staff is standing by to help you receive the civil justice you deserve. Therefore if you or a loved one suffered from serious personal injury or wrongful death at the hands of a police officer, contact us for your free consultation. You pay nothing until we win. Call today.