Settlement For Assaulted Officer

Luann Suratt v. Maxwell Daniel Berman, State Court of Cobb County Civil Action No. 09A9968-2

Sergeant Suratt was assaulted by a DUI perpetrator when he refused to take the state administered breath test. She suffered several blows to her head and a dislocated elbow, which required surgery. The subject was subdued by three back-up officers after several applications of OC spray. Her injuries eventually caused her to retire early from her chosen career.

Our legal team filed suit against the suspect on behalf of this law enforcement veteran. We were able to negotiate a settlement for Sergeant Suratt and compensate her for the intense pain and suffering she endured as well as the permanent scarring and loss of mobility.

However, we were not done looking after Sergeant Suratt and standing up for her. After the suspect was allowed to plead guilty without serving any time in jail and received First Offender Status, we set out to change Georgia law to prevent anyone who commits a felony assault on a LEO from receiving First Offender Status. We drafted a bill that was sponsored by State Senator Lindsey Tippins as SB 231. We proudly stood next to Sergeant Suratt as Governor Deal signed the bill into law on April 16, 2012.