PALM BAY, Fla. – The family of a Florida man claims he was paralyzed after being tasered by police and falling from a fence announced Tuesday that they plan to file a federal civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Palm Bay and several police officers.
Attorneys representing the family of Thomas Farley, including civil rights attorney Ben Crump, allege officers used excessive force during a June 2024 encounter that left Farley with a broken neck and permanent paralysis. Farley died nearly a year later from complications related to his injuries, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit stems from an incident outside a Palm Bay gas station, where Farley and several friends were accused of loitering. According to police, Farley ran from officers and was tasered multiple times while attempting to flee.
The complaint alleges the repeated use of a Taser caused Farley to fall from a fence, breaking his neck and leaving him paralyzed from the mid-chest down. The lawsuit also says that Farley was unarmed and did not pose a threat to officers at the time force was used.
“This police encounter with Thomas Farley was an excessive use of force,” Crump said during a news conference announcing the lawsuit. “We believe this fatal tasing violated his civil rights and ultimately led to his death.”
Farley’s mother, Pamela Farley, described the toll the injuries took on her son and family.
“I watched my son fight for over a year for his life,” she said. “My children and I watched him take his last breath on June 19, 2025, and I promise I will not let his life be in vain.”
Palm Bay police declined to provide additional comment but referred to a statement released following the incident in 2024. In that statement, the department said Farley repeatedly refused commands to stop while fleeing officers.
Police also stated that an internal review of the encounter determined the officer’s use of a Taser was lawful and justified under department policy.
The case is expected to be filed in federal court.