How many times have you been sued?

[Ruh]

Other day at the Academy we had our class on Stress Management. Listed as one of the stressors for LEOs is being sued.

The instructor warned us that we will get sued a lot, and usually for nothing less than a few million.

I was just curious if anyone could tell me how many times they have been sued over their career. I am not asking for details on the cases or anything just a number and maybe a recount of the experiences or something along those lines.

I also fully understand that not much will ever come of law suits when you properly do your job. At least, one can assume that much....

[ExUSPP]

...

[acreature]

Twice.

One dismissed. The other settled for medical bills of 8k.

[scott715us]

Never been (knock on wood). As long as you do your job, and do it the right way, you will never have anything to worry about.

Anyone can sue at anytime for anything. Whether it ever gets to court is a different story.

As a non-LEO, I was directly involved in a civil lawsuit when I worked loss prevention. The guy was banned from the store for shoplifting. He bagged up a pair of shoes and handed them to his daughter (around 14 yoa). When the daughter was hesitant to take them, he kicked her in the ***. Anyway, we somehow were not subpoenaed for his court hearing and the theft charge was dismissed. The asshat came back into our store later (obviously). We had him arrested for trespassing and he sued for false imprisonment, defamation of character, blah blah.

I brought the video tape of him forcing his daughter to take the stolen merchandise out to his car and kicking her when she didn't want to take it. The trial judge had a field day with him and his attorney in court and threw the lawsuit out. ;)

[TPDHellhound]

Never... yet

[retdetsgt]

Three times. Two went to court and they lost. On the other, the city settled because it was too frivilous to take to court and they didn't want that much money anyway. That's in 27 years.

[Ruh]

Three times. Two went to court and they lost. On the other, the city settled because it was too frivilous to take to court and they didn't want that much money anyway. That's in 27 years.

Well that's good to know. :D

I was expecting to hear about law suits popping up several times a year. I suppose that would be complaints and not necessarily law suits.

[Old Trooper]

Twice- both were thrown out....Once, I decided to sue a defendant. I arrested him for DUI and resisting arrest. While wrestling with him, my pinky got broken. I sued him, and got a judgement. The only problem is getting blood from a stone...

[Deputy757]

Once in fifteen years. It's actually pending right now. I don't want to unnecessarily worry you, but I have to respectfully disagree with scott. Sometimes you can do things right and end up with short end of the stick.
For instance, take Stacey Koon and the other LAPD officers involved with the Rodney King affair. I'm not trying to rehash the case but one thing that was affirmed in both trials is that they acted IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR TRAINING. Now, that training may have been for **** but that wasn't their fault.
Anyway, scott is correct in that if you do things the right way all the time, you have much less to worry about than those who fly by the seat of their pants. :D

[Lfpdlieu302]

twice

[Bearcat06]

Twice.

One dismissed. The other settled for medical bills of 8k.

Hey.....Don't WE have one pending...?? :rolleyes:

[retdetsgt]

Yeah, all it takes to sue somebody is to talk to a shyster. I've seen activist lawyers target really pro-active cops just to harass them. But at least my old dept covers you well by hiring a good law firm to represent you and even if you lose, they pay all damages except for punitive. They're forbidden by law here to pay that, but I've yet to see anyone ask for that.

[Ruh]

Ahh cool thank retdet. That was going to be my next question (about how you are covered for something like that).

Since that is answered, how do departments generally respond to you when you get sued and it goes through etc. I'm sure it varies from here to there, just curious of the general or basic way things are handled.

[retdetsgt]

Ahh cool thank retdet. That was going to be my next question (about how you are covered for something like that).

Since that is answered, how do departments generally respond to you when you get sued and it goes through etc. I'm sure it varies from here to there, just curious of the general or basic way things are handled.

In mine, the city is always named too in the lawsuit because they have the deep pockets. Their liable for my actions even if I screwed up. I may have to face heat from them, but they will defend me in court or pay up.

You should ask whatever dept you go to work for though. I've read posts here and other places that make me believe that not all are that benevolent. Guys talk about joining FOP's to get legal coverage.

[retdetsgt]

Hey.....Don't WE have one pending...?? :rolleyes:

I'll be the best witness money can buy! :D