L.I. POLICE CAR STOPS SUSPECT BY RUNNING HIM DOWN; HE LOSES LEG, SUES AND RECOVERS MILLIONS

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Bronx accident attorney)

Thomas Hartmann, age 41, worked construction. He also had issues with is ex-wife. He made harassing phone calls to her in violation of an order of protection, and threatened police on the night of March 11, 2004.

Police had been searching for Hartmann, who allegedly had a history of threatening his ex-wife, because he had called her home repeatedly on Thursday saying he would harm her, her family and police officers.

Police officers found Hartmann Friday as he exited a Lexus on Sunnybrook Drive East in Oceanside, police said. He reached into his pants, leading the officers to believe he had a weapon, then got back in the car and drove off, police said.

The officers followed him for a mile to Allen Avenue, where he got out. He threatened the officers and, at one point, he crouched down as if reaching for something. As he came up, one cop drove their patrol car into him at about 5 miles an hour, the right tire rolling over his legs.  While possibly reckless, still an accident.

On February 19, 2010 a jury awarded Hartmann $6 million for pain and suffering, $2.1 million for medical expenses and $8.5 million for lost wages.

Comment: The jury verdict is not the final word. The trial judge can reduce the amount of the jury verdict, as can an appeals court can reduce (on appeal).