Lakewood Softball League vs. Cops: When Injured by Law Enforcement During a Public Event
Community events like softball games, neighborhood barbecues, and block parties build connections. That’s what makes them a mainstay of life in Southern California. These events, common in tight-knit communities like Lakewood, give residents places to bring their kids, cheer for neighbors, and make memories. But when law enforcement gets involved, it’s all too easy for these events to turn chaotic and even violent. That’s why it’s important to know when it’s time to turn to a police misconduct attorney for help.
The team at the Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates has long advocated for the protection of clients’ civil rights. We know how quickly a simple traffic stop or welfare check can turn into a confrontation that brutalizes families and communities alike. Led by attorney Robin D. Perry, our police misconduct law firm can investigate your claim and protect your rights. Call us at 562-216-2944 to explore your legal options now.
Common Ways Injuries Happen at Public Events
Law enforcement may show up at community events with good intentions. They often arrive with the goal of ensuring crowd safety or de-escalating conflicts that are all too common at crowded events where alcohol is served. But it just takes one or two missteps for police overreach to happen, putting everyone present in danger. Some of the most common ways people get injured during these events include:
- Aggressive crowd control and excessive physical force: Police officers may overreact to raucous crowds or take steps that escalate a situation rather than de-escalate it. They may shove, use their batons with wanton disregard for safety, or take down suspects in a way that hurts bystanders.
- Unintentional injury during arrests or crowd control: Force meant for one person may result in injury to someone else entirely—for example, tackling a suspect and slamming them into an innocent bystander.
- Misuse of police equipment: Police vehicles, K-9 dogs, pepper spray, and tasers can all be used to terrify and harm a crowd rather than keep it safe. Many injuries are tied back to inappropriate use of police equipment.
- Poor communication between event organizers and law enforcement: Ideally, community events and games will be communicated to police ahead of time so they know what to expect and how to prepare. When police do not know about community events, they may go in with fear and suspicion.
When Law Enforcement Can Be Held Liable for Injuries
The law does give you the opportunity to pursue compensation if you suffer an injury at the hands of police officers, but only under limited circumstances. The main thing you need to think about is whether or not the officer’s actions were excessive or unreasonable. For example, if an event is loud and chaotic but not apparently dangerous, a police officer shooting rubber bullets into the crowd or using tear gas would likely be considered excessive. Police can also be held accountable for a lack of action. If a police officer is engaging in a clear abuse of their power and using excessive force, police officers who fail to intervene may be held liable. To find out if your case qualifies, consider discussing it with a police misconduct law firm.
Legal Hurdles Caused by Qualified Immunity and Government Claims
Unfortunately, holding the police accountable can be incredibly challenging. Any police misconduct attorney will tell you about issues with qualified immunity, which is often used to give police officers broad protection against liability for their actions while on the clock—even if those actions are excessive. On top of that, suing the government poses its own challenges. You must file a claim with the appropriate agency as required by the California Tort Claims Act. Should the agency fail to handle the claim in a way that resolves the matter, you can then sue. However, these claims run on a far tighter timeline than other injury claims. It’s important to consult a police misconduct lawyer early in the process to get a better understanding of your rights.
Injured by the Police at a Local Event? Call Our Team of Police Misconduct Lawyers
If police overreach turned a softball game, community gathering, or other event into a nightmare for you and your family, you may have a legal claim against the government. Let’s talk about what happened to you and how we can advocate for you. Contact us online or call us at 562-216-2944.
Attorney Robin D. Perry has been part of the Long Beach Community for over 25 years handling business litigation, employment litigation and advising, criminal defense, personal injury and code enforcement defense for businesses.
