by Injury Claim
6 August 2010
A 14-year old girl could be eligible to make an injury claim against Nottinghamshire Police after an officer accidentally electrocuted her with a Taser stun gun.
The police had been called to the Alexander Street area in Stapleford after reports of anti-social behaviour in the area, reports the Daily Mail, when the man they were attempting to detain became aggressive, leading a constable to fire the stun gun in his direction.
However, he missed his target and instead struck Jodie Gallagher. Although the officer immediately cut the power supply when he realised what had happened, Miss Gallagher was still subjected to a powerful electric shock, which she says felt like a huge cramp running through her body.
The police have now left themselves open to the possibility of Miss Gallagher bringing an injury claim action against them. Tasers have come in for some heavy criticism since they were introduced to some UK police forces in 2004. Their manufacturer recommends that they are not used on children as their use on people of 'smaller stature' can cause heart attacks.