Police Brutality Lawsuits

Philly Injury Lawyer discusses Police Brutality Lawsuits

For years, cases have been documented and filed by Philly Injury Lawyers on behalf of victims of alleged police brutality.  Unfortunately, Philadelphia, the “City of Brotherly Love”, is known for being tough, and at times, crossing the line with its criminal suspects. Nearly fifteen years ago an article first featured Philadelphia Police and “The Nickel Ride.” The “Nickel Ride” is the term used for a ritual where police take suspects for “rough rides” on their way to the station.  Many serious injuries have been suffered over the years as a result of the Philly “Nickel Ride”.

Philly Injury Lawyers argue that “Rough ride” is an understatement, as spinal injuries, back injuries, and traumatic brain injuries have been suffered as a result of the police brutality suffered during nickel rides.  One victim discussed in the article was a South Philadelphia man, paralyzed from the neck down.  His paralysis was a direct result of the thrashing van, as officers drove him unrestrained to the police station.  The victim sued, and the city paid $1.2 million to the paralyzed man.  City officials vowed to put an end to this unsafe and inhumane practice. With the recent resurgence of personal injuries caused from police vans, it appears the City of Brotherly Love has not kept its promise.

In another Nickel Ride incident, suspected of burglary, a thirty-one year old man was taken into custody.  Eyewitnesses describe the young man as “high,” “falling over” and “out of it.”  He was placed in the police van, and expected to hold on to the grab belt, the measure of safety the department deems sufficient for passengers.  When the van arrived at the hospital, doctors found that the restrained man had suffered extensive scrapes and bruises, a cut on the back of his head, and an unspecified injury to his stomach.  With the help of Philly Injury Lawyers he retained, he sued the city, his lawyer arguing he suffered police brutality during the unsecured ride in the back the van that left the man badly injured.

Recently, a man handcuffed for refusing to ride in an ambulance, was forced into the van. “They threw me all over the back of the van. I knew they were supposed to secure me,” the fifty-two year man stated. “I was being thrown around.”  The victim’s lawyer filed a complaint with Internal Affairs on his behalf. The victim decided to file a complaint because he “just wants them to know that it is not right.” The case is still under investigation.

Regarding another incident of police misconduct, Commissioner Charles Ramsey stated “Unlike criminals on the street, we have rules that we have to abide by.” Recent reports show the department still does not abide by these rules.

Many cities around the country have found alternatives to this inhumane practice, discontinuing police vans all together. With an average of 80,000 arrests a year in Philadelphia, the likelihood of injuries and lawsuits are high. Injuries will continue, until Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey changes the current method of police vans for transporting suspects.

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