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D.C. Court of Appeals Upholds $450,000 Verdict for Motorist in Traffic Accident with Cop
On May 13, 2010, the D.C. Court of Appeals upheld a $450,000 verdict against two D.C. cops who were involved in the arrest of a motorist following a traffic accident with an off-duty D.C. cop.
On October 22, 2004, an off-duty D.C. detective, Barbara Rauf, rear-ended Steven Tulin’s $120,000 Porsche. Rauf claimed that the accident was the result of road rage on the part of Tulin, whom she claimed had been slamming on his breaks repeatedly in front of her. Both Tulin and Rauf were swearing at each other during the incident.
Another officer who arrived at the scene arrested Tulin after Rauf suggested that Tulin had committed a criminal offense when in fact he had not. A supervisor on the scene also supported the arrest. Rauf was actually at fault because she was following Tulin too closely, but Tulin was deemed liable by the officers on the scene. He was jailed for about 14 hours.
Tulin was later acquitted of the charges and brought suit alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent supervision of the arresting officer by the District. The jury found in favor of Tulin on both issues, awarding him $450,000. The D.C. Court of Appeals affirmed the verdict, as it was not inconsistent with the evidence. See: District of Columbia v. Tulin, 994 A.2d 788 (D.C. 2010).
On October 22, 2004, an off-duty D.C. detective, Barbara Rauf, rear-ended Steven Tulin’s $120,000 Porsche. Rauf claimed that the accident was the result of road rage on the part of Tulin, whom she claimed had been slamming on his breaks repeatedly in front of her. Both Tulin and Rauf were swearing at each other during the incident.
Another officer who arrived at the scene arrested Tulin after Rauf suggested that Tulin had committed a criminal offense when in fact he had not. A supervisor on the scene also supported the arrest. Rauf was actually at fault because she was following Tulin too closely, but Tulin was deemed liable by the officers on the scene. He was jailed for about 14 hours.
Tulin was later acquitted of the charges and brought suit alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent supervision of the arresting officer by the District. The jury found in favor of Tulin on both issues, awarding him $450,000. The D.C. Court of Appeals affirmed the verdict, as it was not inconsistent with the evidence. See: District of Columbia v. Tulin, 994 A.2d 788 (D.C. 2010).
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Related legal case
District of Columbia v. Tulin
| Year | 2010 |
|---|---|
| Cite | 994 A.2d 788 (D.C. 2010) |
| Level | State Court of Appeals |
| Damages | 450,000.00 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |