Multi-Million Dollar Award to Denver Protesters Could Have Nationwide Impact
With at least 29 pending lawsuits challenging law enforcement use of force during the 2020 protests over the police killing of George Floyd, a federal jury’s $14 million award to Denver protesters could potentially give cities an incentive to settle similar cases rather than risk going to trial and losing.
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With at least 29 pending lawsuits challenging law enforcement use of force during the 2020 protests over the police killing of George Floyd, a federal jury’s $14 million award to Denver protesters could potentially give cities an incentive to settle similar cases rather than risk going to trial and losing, reports the Associated Press. The verdict could also prompt more protesters to sue over their treatment at the hands of police, with many already making similar allegations in lawsuits filed across the country.
One of the attorneys for those accusing police in Rochester, NY, of similar violations, Donald Thompson, said he plans to raise the Denver award in settlement talks with the city. He will note that unlike most of the Denver protesters, some of his clients suffered lasting injuries including the loss of an eye and scarring from being hit in the face with a tear gas canister. However, the large award in Denver is not expected to lead to an overhaul in how officers respond to what experts say are inherently chaotic situations that are difficult to prepare for, pointing to a lack of police training for protests. Still others claim it would be prohibitively expensive to have officers practice deploying equipment such as tear gas canisters.
