Dayton Taser & Stun Gun Injury Lawyer

Every year in Dayton and throughout Ohio, police rely on tasers as a nonlethal means of subduing dangerous or fleeing criminal suspects. Many civilians also purchase and use these devices as a means of self-defense and an alternative to lethal firearms. However, while these devices are intended to function nonlethally, they are capable of inflicting tremendous injury. A Dayton taser & stun gun injury lawyer can help if you have been injured by one of these devices.

Representing Victims of Taser and Stun Gun Injuries in Dayton, OH

Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has been assisting injured clients throughout Ohio since 1946, and our firm has successfully recovered more than $1 billion in compensation through a wide range of injury claims. If you were injured by another private party’s use of a taser or stun gun, you may have valid grounds to file a personal injury claim if this was an unjustified use of the device. However, if you were injured by the police, your legal options may be very different.

Taser devices are used by more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies in more than 80 countries. Officers of the Dayton Police Department and various other law enforcement agencies throughout Ohio use these devices as a nonlethal means of subduing potentially dangerous suspects. While the terms “taser” and “stun gun” are often used interchangeably, these devices are different:

• A taser projects prongs into the target and discharges electricity while the trigger is held. An officer can deploy the taser, striking the target, and only press the trigger to keep the target subdued so they can safely complete an arrest. The electrical current from the taser interrupts the target’s nervous system, immobilizing them.
  
• A stun gun also uses electricity, but it is conducted through direct contact. The stun gun is pressed against the target’s body, discharging electricity while contact is held. This causes intense pain and is meant as a deterrent.

When used correctly, these devices can function as effective, nonlethal alternatives to firearms and other self-defense implements. However, electricity coursing through the human body may not only be painful, but could also potentially cause severe or fatal harm. A Reuters investigation from 2017 revealed that between 2000 and 2017, tasers were found to be contributing factors in 153 of about 1,000 deaths following taser deployment by law enforcement.

If you or a family member was recently injured by a taser or stun gun, it is vital to hire a taser & stun gun injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. If the injury was caused by law enforcement, your legal options may be limited. If you believe that you were a victim of excessive force, it is crucial to have an experienced attorney representing you.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim for a Taser or Stun Gun Injury

If you were injured by another private individual who used a taser or stun gun against you, then you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim against them if they did not use the device in self-defense. They are also likely to face criminal charges for their actions, and your attorney can explain the steps you will need to take to pursue accountability and compensation for the damages they caused.

If your case involves a police officer’s use of a taser, filing a civil claim against a government entity is very different from filing a claim against another private party. Police officers are protected by qualified immunity, which shields them from civil liability in many situations. You would only have grounds for legal action if you can prove that the officer used excessive force, such as deploying a taser against you while you were not resisting.

After you consult a Dayton taser & stun gun injury attorney, they may determine that you have grounds to file a case under the Ohio Political Subdivision Tort Liability Act. This will be very different from filing a personal injury case against another private party, and you face a much shorter filing deadline. There are also restrictions pertaining to the compensation you are eligible to claim, and a skilled attorney will be necessary for securing suitable compensation.

Find a Dayton Taser & Stun Gun Injury Lawyer Today

Time is a crucial factor in any taser or stun gun injury case. If you believe that another party unlawfully used a taser or stun gun against you, or that you are the victim of excessive force from the police, it is essential that you hire a taser & stun gun injury lawyer at your first opportunity to help you build your case.

The team at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has years of proven experience handling a wide range of difficult cases on behalf of clients in Dayton and the surrounding communities of Montgomery County. We will listen to your story and explain your potential legal options and how we can help. If you are ready to learn how a Dayton taser & stun gun injury attorney can assist with your case, reach out to our team today to learn more about our legal services.

FAQs

Q: How Can a Taser or Stun Gun Cause Serious Injury?

A: A taser or stun gun can cause serious injuries in several ways. The metal darts that a taser deploys may strike sensitive parts of the body, and the electric current from these devices can interrupt the heart’s natural rhythm. It’s also possible for deploying one of these devices to cause severe muscle contractions resulting in a hard fall, potentially resulting in broken bones or a traumatic brain injury. Long shocks greatly increase the risk of severe harm.

Q: Which Is More Dangerous: a Taser or a Stun Gun?

A: A taser is generally considered to be more dangerous than a stun gun because it can be used at range to repeatedly shock the target, interrupting their nervous system and immobilizing them. A stun gun, by comparison, only functions through direct physical touch. While painful, the stun gun only affects the target with direct contact. Both are considered nonlethal self-defense devices, but both are capable of inflicting severe injuries when used inappropriately.

Q: Can a Civilian Legally Own a Taser or Stun Gun in Ohio?

A: Yes, a civilian can legally own a taser or stun gun in Ohio. These devices are not subject to the same laws governing privately owned firearms, and most adults over the age of 18 are legally allowed to purchase and carry these devices. However, tasers and stun guns may not be carried in certain places, such as schools, courthouses, and government buildings. They may only be used in lawful self-defense.

Q: What Damages Can I Claim for a Taser or Stun Gun Injury?

A: The damages you could claim for a taser or stun gun injury could include any medical expenses related to treating the harm done by one of these devices, income you are unable to earn during your recovery, and compensation for your pain and suffering. A Dayton taser & stun gun injury lawyer can estimate the full scope of the damages you could be eligible to claim.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Taser & Stun Gun Injury Lawyer?

A: You should hire a taser & stun gun injury lawyer because you need legal counsel with proven experience to help with this type of case. If you are filing a personal injury claim against a private party who used one of these devices illegally, your attorney can help you hold them accountable for your damages. If you intend to file a claim against the police for excessive force, this is an even more complex type of claim that demands an experienced attorney’s attention.

The attorneys at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber can help you understand your legal options after you or a family member has been injured by a taser or stun gun in Dayton. Whether you are eligible to file a personal injury claim against a private party or are preparing to file a claim against the police for excessive force, we can help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a Dayton taser & stun gun injury lawyer.