Non-Lethal Weapons Used by Police in Jackson, Mississippi Could Cause Serious Injury

Weapons used by police when dispersing protesting crowds or when trying to subdue a suspect without lethal force, could actually be lethal and dangerous. In recent weeks more people have taken to the streets to protest police brutality and to support Black Lives Matter. But the methods police may have been using for crowd control may be more dangerous than protestors may realize. Medical journals report serious injuries when rubber bullets, pellet guns, and other “non-lethal” weapons are used. The New York Times recently performed an investigative report on the risks of “non-lethal” crowd control measures. What are the takeaways? “Non-lethal” crowd control measures shouldn’t be considered “non-lethal” but should be considered less lethal.   If you or someone you love was hurt in a protest due to police use of force or due to police use of “non-lethal” weapons, you may have the right to seek damages for your injuries. Some victims have been seriously injured, permanently disabled, and some have even been killed due to the use of non-lethal weapons. Malouf & Malouf, PLLC is a personal injury law firm in Jackson, Mississippi that works with individuals and victims who have been hurt due to the negligence or neglect of another person or party. As the country becomes more aware of the ways in which the police have used excessive force, more families are choosing to fight back.   Crowd Control Measures Used by Police: What is the Personal Injury Risk?   According to BMJ Military Health, pellet guns have been considered “non-lethal” crowd control measures and some police officers use pellet guns when controlling crowds like those seen in large protests. However, according to writers in BMJ Military health, six people have died in pellet gun injuries, and 685 people have sustained eye injuries, with 45 of these eye injuries resulting in blindness. The British Medical Journal reviewed the types of injuries sustained by individuals hit by bean bag rounds and rubber bullets in protests. 1,984 people were struck by these weapons. Of those who were struck, 53 died from their injuries and 300 people suffered permanent disability.   The New York Times performed its own investigative report, looking more closely at the individuals who were hurt in protests when these types of weapons were used. Injuries reported in the article include an injury to the groin where the patient’s doctors warned him he may not be able to have children after the injury, head and neck injuries that required surgery, and traumatic brain injury that can impact a person’s life for years to come. Individuals suffering from brain damage and traumatic brain injury can experience memory problems, sensory disturbances, changes in mood, problems speaking, problems sleeping, and more. Individuals suffering from these injuries may need to miss time from work or may not be able to engage in life activities they once enjoyed. In some reported cases, victims had to undergo hours of surgery and regions of the brain that were damaged when these weapons dented the skull are regions essential for thinking, reasoning, and speaking. Other patients experienced puncture wounds, with the New York Times reporting on one patient whose rib was broken.   Flash bangs can cause ear damage, can burn the retina, and can cause serious injuries. Some human rights organizations disagree with the use of many of these weapons. Even tear gas can cause serious injuries that can leave victims suffering eye damage or in respiratory distress.   Doctors and researchers repeatedly note that weapons used for crowd control should not be called “non-lethal” but should be called less-lethal. While these weapons are designed to strike fatty parts of the body, when these weapons are used for crowd control or shot into a crowd, the rounds can strike individuals in the head, neck, or in parts of the body where they can cause severe damage and injuries. If you or someone you love was hurt in a protest due to the use of so called “non-lethal” weapons, you and your family might have the right to seek damages under the law. Malouf & Malouf, PLLC is a personal injury law firm in Jackson, Mississippi that helps individuals who have been injured due to the neglect or negligence of another person or party.   Seek Justice Today   If you’ve been hurt in a protest or due to police excessive force, you may have the right to seek damages for your losses. The personal injury lawyers at Malouf & Malouf, PLLC in Jackson, Mississippi may be able to help you. Contact our law firm today or connect with USAttorneys.com to get matched with the personal injury lawyers at Malouf & Malouf. We can review the details of your case and injury, estimate the value of your claim, and fight to hold responsible parties accountable. More families are speaking up against police brutality and are seeking damages when their loved ones are hurt. Has your family been impacted by police brutality? Malouf & Malouf may be able to help.