Police Professional Liability: Police Lawsuits Costly

The number of lawsuits against the New York Police Department increased 10 percent in the 2011 fiscal year, according to NY Daily News. The 8,882 suits that were filed was the most against any city agency during that period.

The sheer number of lawsuits also makes them a huge expense for police departments. Claims against the NYPD cost the city $185.6 million, a 35% increase from the year before. In total, the city paid out $550.4 million in personal injury and property damage settlements and judgments.

Courts have made it easier for citizens, criminals, and suspects to bring suits against law enforcement and criminal justice personnel, and the number of lawsuits continues to skyrocket. Litigation is incredibly expensive. Even if a settlement is decided in your favor, the cost of litigation can still rack up in exorbitant amounts quickly.

As a police professional, the potential exists for personal responsibility, even if you have a general liability policy. There are more facets to police professional liability than meet the eye, and new exposures are continually emerging with our increasingly litigious society. It doesn’t make sense to face the potential loss of income and even financial ruin from known exposures that can be protected against.

At Professional Governmental Underwriters, our Police Professional program is uniquely designed for law enforcement officers. Our program is designed for city, borough, village, township and county police and sheriff departments serving populations less than 100,000. For more information, please contact us today about our Police Professional Liability programs – 804-272-6557