Police Brutality
As early as 1988, Martin J. Weiser, the senior partner of Weiser & Associates, L.L.P., obtained a verdict of $10,000,000.00 against the Police Department and The City of New York in a Bronx County trial. Frankie Blake, a two year old was seriously burned when an unknown assailant threw a Molotov cocktail through his first floor bedroom window. This was the culmination of two previous failed attempts at arson and undoubtedly the result of a work related dispute between Frankie’s mother and a coworker.
The Police Department aware of the previous incidents promised surveillance of the premises, but utterly failed to honor this representation. The City appealed and the Appellate Court agreed that the Police Department’s negligence was the cause of the child being severely burned.
Since 1988, Weiser & Associates has actively represented injured plaintiffs due to police abuse and negligence. Many of our cases are venued in Bronx and Kings Counties, although we have a significant presence in all New York City counties.
Recently, we obtained a verdict in a police abuse case for a man who injured his shoulder, back and neck when The New York City Police broke down his door on a false complaint of domestic abuse. A New York County jury was appalled by the actions of the police officers and rendered a verdict in the sum of $800,000.00 in favor of the plaintiff.
Although it appears that police offers have the power and authority to do what they want, there are rules and regulations that govern their actions. In many police brutality cases we hire expert witnesses with many years of experience who are capable of testifying to standards of police conduct under certain circumstances. This form of evidence is very persuasive to a jury and often accounts for substantial verdict in favor of the victim of police abuse.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of police abuse and negligence, please contact us today.