Nobody would argue that some of the most difficult work on the planet belongs to the law enforcement officers who are charged with protecting their jurisdiction's residents or customers from the malicious or criminal acts of others.
They often have to make seemingly impossible decisions and act on the basis of instantaneous judgments about the circumstances and environment within which they encounter a problem.
To give these peacekeepers an effective alternative to deadly physical force, there has been much research done into the area of nonlethal weapons.
Unfortunately, these devices sometimes kill.
There are likely to be numerous questions surrounding such an incident, but in the end, the most significant issue is that you have lost a loved one.
The consequences of a wrongful death can be far reaching and may place a substantial strain on you physically, emotionally, and financially.
Depending upon the specifics of the situation that led the untimely passing of your spouse or other family member, you may be entitled to pursue a legal action against the parties responsible for your tragic loss.
Even if an officer acted within the guidelines set forth by his or her department, there may still be lingering questions.
Shocking Results Although there are a number of different tools available to police officers and security guards to enable them to temporarily disable a non-compliant or dangerous person, there is one device that has gained a reputation as a threat to public safety and a liability.
Electrical stun guns, particularly those that are equipped with projectile lines that pierce the target, have caused numerous deaths in recent years despite protests that their use is safe and nonlethal.
When you consider that they are capable of inflicting electrical shocks of up to 50,000 volts, it is easy to understand why there may be ample room for fatal errors and malfunctions to occur.
The prods that pierce the target's skin serve to connect his or her body to the electrical stun gun, extending the range beyond the typical direct contact model.
The discharge of the electrical shock can lead to: Fibrillation Cardiac arrest Fatal electrical burn injuries Combustion of the body Fatal brain injuries sustained in a fall Legal Standing As the survivor of the deceased, it may be in your best interests to pursue a lawsuit against the officer, agency, or manufacturer of the electrical weapon that killed your loved one.
To learn more, contact the Pennsylvania wrongful death lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.
C.