We have previously written about the difference between criminal and civil charges. But there certain cases in which law enforcement can face civil charges for inappropriate actions they took while responding to alleged criminal matters. Families in Knoxville and elsewhere have filed wrongful death or personal injury lawsuits against officers for actions such as excessive force or reckless driving during a car chase.

Recently, grieving Tennessee parents filed a $10 million lawsuit against the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and one of its troopers. In November, their 20-year-old son died in a car accident, allegedly while being pursued by the THP trooper for a speeding offense.

The family also claims that video evidence from the trooper's vehicle shows that he saw the crash scene but intentionally avoided giving aid to the car accident victim for a period of several minutes.

Upon seeing that the young driver had crashed, the trooper allegedly radioed that the pursuit had been terminated, but did not report the crash himself. Instead, he waited nearby until hearing that someone else had reported it.

Local news sources who have analyzed the video say that most of the family's allegations appear to have merit. And according to the lawsuit, this same trooper was involved in a similar fatal accident scenario in Knoxville in 2010.

In addition to suing the trooper, the family has also named the THP and the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety as defendants in the lawsuit. They are asking that the officer be "immediately and permanently" removed from employment.

Law enforcement officers have a difficult job; one which sometimes results in accidental and unavoidable collateral damage. However, when it appears as though an officer intentionally or negligently caused a death or injury while in the line of duty, victims and families may have grounds to pursue a civil lawsuit.

Source: WBIR.com, "Trooper sued for leaving scene after fatal pursuit," Jan. 31, 2012