The family of a Cincinnati father of eight who died after being shocked in the chest with a Taser stun gun has settled their federal civil rights lawsuit against a suburban police department.
The family of Corey McGinnis, 35, agreed to settle their June 2013 wrongful death lawsuit against North College Hill police for $650,000 as well as some changes in Taser policies at the police department.
Police were responding to calls about a fight and shots fired at a basketball game on June 26, 2013, when McGinnis was shocked with a Taser.
The family alleges that McGinnis was playing basketball with two of his children, was unarmed, shirtless and posing no threat when he was hit in the chest. This is contrary to Taser’s own recommendations that upper torso shots can cause cardiac arrest. McGinnis died in the hospital five days later.
The family also says that police had not regularly tested the Taser and testing later showed that it was emitting higher voltage than manufacturer specifications.
The police department allegedly said they would change some of their Taser policies, including adding the manufacturer’s preferred target zone.
This settlement shows that law enforcement agencies everywhere should follow manufacturer’s recommendations and be properly trained and educated before using a weapon.
McGinnis was described as an active and involved father. The settlement money will help support his eight children.
Feel free to contact one of our Gacovino Lake attorneys at 1-800-246-HURT (4878) for more information.
