While the growing use of Tasers by law enforcement and private security companies is designed to reduce the number of deaths from shootings, there is a new scientific study that suggests that Tasers may be prone to cause cardiac arrest (i.e. heart attack) and fatalities. The safety of Tasers is an important issue because they are currently used by 16,000 agencies worldwide, and there have been three million uses of Tasers according to a spokesman for the manufacturer of the device, Taser International Inc., which is based in Scottsdale, Arizona.
A Taser device functions by administering a 50,000 volt shock that is transferred via wires connected to a barb that is shot and penetrates a suspect’s skin. The electrical current prevents the suspect from using his or her muscles so that police can subdue the suspect. The device can be fired at a suspect from a distance of 35 feet which some law enforcement agencies contend keeps the officers safe and involves a less lethal form of force to subdue a suspect.
However, there are a growing number of lawsuits being filed against the manufacturer of Tasers amid allegations the devises are more dangerous than they were portrayed to be when first marketed. Amnesty International reports that there have been 500 fatalities involving Tasers since 2001. It must be noted that in some of these cases other factors were also found to have contributed to the fatality, including drug use or pre-existing medical issues.
While the manufacturer of Tasers has argued that the number of fatalities associated with Tasers is overstated and that the benefits in lives saved outweighs any potential danger, a new medical report published in the American Heart Association’s leading journal, Circulation, concludes that Tasers can cause cardiac electric capture and trigger heart attacks. The study focused on eight separate incidents involving the Taser X26 ECD with seven of those cases resulting in death. The report indicated that the risk of heart attack from a Taser results from uncontrolled fluttering contractions and an excessively high heart rate.
While initial lawsuits against the manufacturer of Tasers were unsuccessful, there have since been substantial verdicts against the company. For example, a North Carolina jury returned a $10 million dollar judgment against the company in a wrongful death lawsuit last year. The judgment was later reduced to $4.4 million. There appears to be evidence that Taser devices were not adequately tested which may create a basis for product liability lawsuits.
If you or someone close to you has suffered serious injury or wrongful death caused by a Taser, our experienced Mississippi personal injury attorneys at Barrett Law may be able to help you seek compensation for your injuries or loss of a loved one. At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi. Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.