St. Louis Injury Lawyer Blog

A man from Wentzville, Missouri jailed in Bridgeton has filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court against the city's police department for beating and tasing him unfairly.

According to an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the alleged police violation in the Bridgeton jail is being investigated by the FBI. A surveillance video from the time of the incident is available for viewing on STLToday.com.

The has been treated for a swollen jaw and bruises. The plaintiff's attorney claimed he came to his office with metal staples and Taser marks on his back as a result of the assault and battery.

The man was originally stopped for speeding. The arresting officers described him as uncooperative and smelling of alcohol. Due to his refusal to provide some personal information about himself, he was held in a cell, where the police violations allegedly occurred.

A study published by the National Criminal Justice Reference Service argues that police officers' right to use physical force to apprehend suspects is right and just, but problems arise in the application of force. The report hypothesizes that the best ways to prevent police brutality are to continue training new officers even after they begin service, conducting psychological exams prior to police academy admittance, and establishing civilian review boards.

Fewer complaints of police violations were also reported about police departments with more officers who have lots of experience or are college educated, female, or African-American.

Continue reading "Bridgeton, Missouri Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed by Prisoner from Wentzville" »

A Wal-Mart shopper from Madison County, Illinois has filed an assault and battery personal injury lawsuit against the corporation and the store's security officer who tackled her.

The woman was pregnant at the time of the incident. According to the lawsuit, described in article posted on the Madison County Record website, she was followed out of the store and thrown to the ground by a Wal-Mart loss prevention officer, which caused injury both to the plaintiff and her unborn child. The officer had been watching her and following her closely prior to her exit from the store.

The plaintiff has claimed that she was falsely accused of shoplifting and that being tackled caused complications in her pregnancy, although the lawsuit does not describe the child's injuries. Wal-Mart did not press charges for retail theft. At one point, the plaintiff fired her lawyer for the case but wanted to continue the suit.

This case is not nearly the only lawsuit against Wal-Mart. The Wal-Mart Litigation Project website is just one place to find information about pending and past cases with Wal-Mart as the defendant.

Continue reading "Madison County, Illinois Pregnant Wal-Mart Shopper Sues for Battery" »

A drunken bar fight in Hardin, Illinois that allegedly caused a customer to become injured has led to a dramshop lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed in the Calhoun County, Illinois circuit court by WWF&G attorney Michael P. Glisson, claims that the liquor served by the bar caused one of its patrons to become drunk and disorderly. The patron then assaulted another customer.

In the aftermath of the attack, the plaintiff suffered numerous facial fractures requiring surgery. In addition, the suit claims the incident has caused pain and suffering and expensive medical care. Being unable to work has resulted in lost wages for the plaintiff.

The defendants named include both the attacker and the tavern. The case is set for trial in May of 2011.

According to a fact sheet published by the Illinois Liquor Commission, it is unlawful to sell liquor to an intoxicated person. Disobeying this law can result in fines from $500 to $2,500, as well as a year of jail time and/or liquor license suspension or revocation. This offense is a Class A Misdemeanor.

Continue reading "Hardin, Illinois Bar Faces Trial in Dramshop Lawsuit" »