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In MD, the State has Immunity to civil suits (as all states have the right to), but allows itself to be sued up to $50,000. There was a case where a state cop hit a car and killed the woman (I think it was a woman). Her spouse sued and won more than $50,000 (They don't tell the Jury about the limit) and they went after their own insurance for the extra amount - because they had uninsured motorist insurance. The insurance company tried to get out of paying the extra - saying the 50k immunity level should protect them too.
They lost - it made my day....
Anyway - if you get hit by a cop make sure it is a county cop. They do not have immunity. Same if you get beaten. I had some state emplyees that I sued (not for beating me) and it was a real pain in the ass. I won in state court after appeals on non monetary matters, but when I got to federal court - it eventually got thrown out, because they had immunity - and I had not met a big enough burden to overturn it.
Depending on your state - you can really get screwed. Getting hit by a cop is not an instant payday - especially if they are state cops.
So if you decide to mouth off to a cop - and there are two different ones standing their - pick the county/city one.
Just my advice for the day.
Isn't that stupid? If the woman had been hit by a county cop instead of a state cop - there would have been only the normal limit - which I think is like ~$325K in MD.
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