An on-duty police officer or deputy sheriff discharging taser darts at an individual is a use of force by the officer.
The Taser is an electroshock weapon that fires small dart-like electrodes. These electrodes attached to the Taser gun with conductors. Tasers deliver an electric current that disrupts the voluntary control of muscles which cause neuromuscular incapacitation. When this weapon is used to subdue a subject, the subject experiences extreme pain and the over-stimulation of sensory and motor nerves. This results in involuntary muscle contractions and leaves the subject incapacitated.
Tasers can under certain circumstances be an effective alternative to more life-threatening means of subduing an unruly subject, such as shooting or beating with a baton. Unfortunately, there are cases when law enforcement officers deploy them in a manner not consistent with their training and have led to severe injury and even death.
Time is of the essence as there are statutes of limitations applicable to all civil claims against governmental agencies such as Cities and their Police Departments, Counties and their Sheriffs' Departments and their employees.
When relating the events surrounding your injury to us please include where possible the identity and contact information of all potential witnesses, and whether there is video footage and photographs taken during the incident. It is important that you consult as soon as possible with an attorney who understands this complex area of the law, who can review issues of liability with you, and make recommendations on the best course of action you can follow.
Contact us online with a description of your case. You can also call us at 951-554-8115 to speak with one of our police tasing attorneys/lawyers in Riverside, San Bernardino, or Orange County. We can help you!