Menu
F
r
e
e

C
o
n
s
u
l
t
a
t
i
o
n

ECSO Tasered Themselves Into A Wrongful Death Suit

On behalf of The Law Offices of Howard Kornberg Posted in Wrongful Death

While short jolts of ‘manageable’ electricity are supposed to render an incorrigible person unharmful, how many zaps are actually necessary? The case of Escambia County Sheriff’s Office vs. Bridges will more than likely answer that question. Filed in Federal court last week, this is one of many national cases where excessive force in detaining an arrestee caused an individual to senselessly die.

Here’s the case recap delivered by your favorite wrongful death lawyer in Los Angeles.

How the victim was detained

Cody Healy, an armed forces veteran, was apparently running through an occupied elementary school while waving his arms around madly. He was also noticed to be exposing his genitals. At that point, law enforcement officials were called to the school.

The 28-year old began physically battering officers as they attempted to arrest him. The two officers used their tasers in an attempt to subdue Healy, which didn’t seem to work. After breaking free, he ran to an area with a fence. Officers eventually tracked him, tasering him two more times while placing Healy in leg irons and cuffs.

After the second round of teasers, he went into cardiac arrest. He was taken to the nearby Baptist Hospital emergency room, where he was placed on life support before succumbing to his injuries. The medical examiner ruled his death was by homicide in her final report.

The significance of his death to this case

The honorably discharged Air Force veteran, discharged for being mentally unable to perform duties, was essentially murdered according to the ME report. While the officers may not have known about his mental illnesses, the manner in which they used their tasers was reckless. Just about any Los Angeles wrongful death attorney would gobble that up in court.

The widower’s attorney clearly denounced his death as anything but murder. Instead of waiting for backup, the officers took it upon themselves to use excessive force to subdue an individual that showed no signs of absconding.

According to the ECSO, officers complied with their training and followed procedures according to law. However, since accidental death wasn’t put on the ME report, that statement is questionable.

What this case means for wrongful death law

This case could end up being textbook wrongful death simply because excessive force wasn’t necessary to calm the arrestee down. Using the first round of taser shots should’ve been sufficient to get the man into leg irons, then two officers could’ve easily handcuffed him.

I mean, the man was diagnosed with adjustment disorder and had partial retardation. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have run through a grove of trees to some random school and acted foolishly.

Bear in mind this case is against the sheriff’s department, so it would be tough for any Los Angeles wrongful death attorney to win outright in court. However, given the circumstances and obvious use of unwarranted force, a settlement is more likely to happen outside of court.

Remember, folks, there must be an element of negligence in any wrongful death suit to withstand reasonable doubt brought by any defense attorney.

Arrow Prev Prev Next Arrow Next
T

Tristan Crown

Rating Star
Howard Kornberg has been helping injured victims for over 35 years in
Read more
Posted On Google
J

John Dittrich

Rating Star
Howard's Law Office is undoubtedly the go-to place in Los Angeles for
Read more
Posted On Google
R

Robben Sprague

Rating Star
Howard Kornberg and his team were utterly amazing from start to finish
Read more
Posted On Google
M

Max Schafer

Rating Star
Excellent experience! Howard and his team are smart, competent, honest
Read more
Posted On Google
f

flerida hernandez

Rating Star
The Law Offices of Howard Kornberg were highly recommend by someone I
Read more
Posted On Google
T

Terri Barlow

Rating Star
Despite having to to deal with multiple family members and the death o
Read more
Posted On Google
M

Marina Salazar

Rating Star
What a great!! experience I had with the Law Offices of Howard Kornber
Read more
Posted On Google
P

Pamela LLJUBO

Rating Star
Working with Howard Kornberg and his associates is like having an exte
Read more
Posted On Google
E

E.J. Fortenberry

Rating Star
Mr Kornberg represented me very well in my case resulting in an outsta
Read more
Posted On Google
A

Anna Stovitz

Rating Star
Howard Kornberg did an impeccable job in representing me in my trial.
Read more
Posted On Google
A

Aviv Brawer-Cohen

Rating Star
Mr Kornberg and his staff are truly outstanding. Their diligent and ho
Read more
Posted On Google
A

Alex Saavedra

Rating Star
The people that work here are honest and straight up, Ana and Robert w
Read more
Posted On Google
T

Tristan Crown

Rating Star
Howard Kornberg has been helping injured victims for over 35 years in
Read more
Posted On Google
J

Josie Cruz

Rating Star
I took my "car accident" case to Mr. Kornberg for review. I had been t
Read more
Posted On Google
J

Jack Stovitz

Rating Star
Howard is an amazing lawyer who gets the job done. He's a great guy, h
Read more
Posted On Google
M

Melissa Schoenfeld

Rating Star
My experience with this office and Mr. Kornberg was everything I could
Read more
Posted On Google
H

HugznKisses De La Torre

Rating Star
Howard is a great person to work with and his integrity is unquestione
Read more
Posted On Google
M

Max Lasser

Rating Star
Howard is a phenomenal, exemplary, kind lawyer who will fight for you
Read more
Posted On Google
C

Charlie Shanes

Rating Star
I needed a good personal injury lawyer, I was injured in a car acciden
Read more
Posted On Google
R

Robert Leovy

Rating Star
Does great work and will go out of his way to ensure you get what you
Read more
Posted On Google
j

john nguyen

Rating Star
Friendly people, very professional, very detail oriented, and he will
Read more
Posted On Google
R

R D

Rating Star
HCK and staff are amazing!!
Read more
Posted On Google
C

Connie Kay

Rating Star
Positive: Responsiveness
Read more
Posted On Google
A

Alfonso Gonzalex

Rating Star
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness
Read more
Posted On Google
Arrow Next
Arrow Prev