In its recent decision in Wood v State of New York, the Appellate Division, Second Department upheld the Court of Claims decision to grant summary judgment dismissing a claim of wrongful death against the State of New York, as the employer of an off duty New York State Corrections Officer. New York State was sued in the […]
Municipal Liability
Five Men Wrongfully Convicted in Central Park Jogger Attack to Receive $41 Million Legal Settlement
New York City Controller Scott Stringer approved a $41 million legal settlement in June 2014 for five men who were wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for beating and raping a woman jogging in Central Park in 1989. Stringer stated that “this settlement is a prudent and equitable solution for all parties to the lawsuit and closes a very […]
Suffolk County Agrees to $200K Legal Settlement for Video Journalist Who Was Wrongfully Arrested
Members of the Suffolk County Legislature approved a $200,000 legal settlement in June 2014 after a video journalist filed a lawsuit that claimed he was wrongfully arrested for recording police activity in a public area. The settlement also states that all members of the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) must be trained and tested about the public’s First Amendment […]
New York Man Files Lawsuit Alleging Excessive Force by Nassau County Police Officers
Westbury resident Kyle Howell, 20, filed a lawsuit in early May 2014 against the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) that claims two officers used excessive force against him during a routine traffic stop on April 25, 2014. After being punched and kneed in the face by the officers, Howell suffered from a broken nose, facial fractures, nerve […]
Smoker Sues After NYPD Misunderstanding
A downtown New York lawyer is suing the city of New York and the NYPD for $400,000 in damages after two officers mistakenly thought that he was attempting suicide. Mark Moody was smoking a cigarette on the ledge of his second story Peck Slip apartment when two officers stopped their car and asked Moody if […]