Mother Alleges Ill Treatment of Daughter by Police after Seizure

An incident involving a teen having a grand mal seizure while attending a concert venue has led to a lawsuit being filed by her mother against several Alabama law enforcement agencies and the venue hosting the concert.

The lawsuit alleges that several police officers from Rainbow City and Gadsden used excessive force and gross negligence when handling a medical situation on January 16th during a hip-hop concert. After the artist had left the stage, concert goers stampeded causing the girl to fall and be trampled, thus causing the seizure.

Court documents in the lawsuit allege that an employee of Center Stage, the company that booked the event, “unceremoniously dumped” the teen on the floor in the lobby. Police then proceeded to pin the teen to the ground holding her in a chokehold while using a Taser three times on her. The girl was rendered unconscious and taken to an area hospital. The suit claims that officers joked about the girl’s condition and suggested that she be committed to a mental health facility.

The girl was accompanied by her sister who called their mother who was at home at the time of the incident. When the girls’ mother arrived on the scene, she claims that she was also injured by an officer when she tried to assist her daughter. The woman was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct.

When people go to a concert to see their favorite performers, no one ever thinks about having an accident or medical incident. It seems even harder to imagine that police or any other authority in charge would fail to recognize the situation and instead of offering help, make the situation potentially worse. Communities across the country have recognized the need to hold police accountable for their actions. Even President Obama has called for police officers across the country to be outfitted with body cameras that can more accurately keep a record of incidents between police and the public.

If you or a loved one has been injured through no fault of your own, contact us today. At Auger & Auger, we have years of experience and we specialize in liability and personal injury lawsuits. We will not only represent you in making sure those responsible are held accountable, but you may also be entitled to compensation for any medical bills, loss of income for time off the job as well as pain and suffering.

Your rights are protected by law. Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation and legal analysis.