Police officers might be responsible for upholding the law, but they are not supposed to be above the law. If you feel that you have been victimized by a police officer in Kentucky, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit against them. This is especially true if you have suffered injuries at the hands of a police officer. If they have used excessive force or they have broken any other law in the course of their duty, they may face dire consequences. Even if you have committed a crime prior to suffering injuries at the hands of a police officer, this does not give them free rein to cause you serious bodily harm. Officers today are trained to minimize harm whenever possible, and these professionals know they may be liable if they act in a negligent or irresponsible manner. If you have been injured by a police officer, your best bet is to contact an attorney as soon as possible. These legal experts can examine your case and determine your next step.

Types of Police Misconduct

There are many types of police conduct. Each of these offenses comes with serious offenses for police officers. Examples include things like coercion of a false confession, police brutality, false, imprisonment, and many others. In most personal injury cases against police officers, plaintiffs allege that excessive force or police brutality led to severe injuries or death. In this situation, you must prove that the police officer was acting beyond the normal circumstances of law enforcement, causing you unnecessary bodily harm.

Wrongful Death Cases as a Result of Police Chases

In 2019, Kentucky changed its laws to allow citizens to sue police officers for third-party injuries sustained during “hot pursuit” chases. The changes in the legislation were the result of a particular incident that left two people dead after a police officer crashed head-on into their vehicle. This police officer was pursuing another criminal at the time, and the two motorists who died were completely innocent. The ruling overturned a ruling that dated back to 1952, stating that police officers are immune from litigation brought forth by the families of victims who were deceased or severely injured. This was an important moment for Kentucky law, as it means that police officers can now be held accountable for certain reckless actions on the road.

The Case of Police Chaplain Stewart in Lexington

Another important case occurred in 2020, when a police chaplain in Lexington faced a lawsuit after repeatedly striking an autistic African American 16-year-old who was under control with both arms restrained. Video footage showed the chaplain striking the boy in the face and the head. The lawsuit sought damages for bodily injuries, mental anguish, and humiliation. The boy’s family requested $500,000 from the police chaplain in compensatory damages, $500,000 from the city of Lexington, and a further $500,000 from the chaplain in punitive damages. This case illustrates how it is possible to sue not only negligent police officers individually, but also the government itself (in this case the city of Lexington).

Your Next Steps

In most cases, the police department will hire their own defense attorney to represent the police officer who is facing a lawsuit. This is why it is important to hire your own legal expert who can take on the best defense these police officers can muster. Reach out to Roberts Law Office today, and we will put you on the right track.