City officials have settled an excessive force lawsuit for an undisclosed amount, federal court records show. Hammond resident John Stancato sued the city and five police officers in 2007, claiming he suffered a permanent brain injury after being Tasered and kicked and hit in the head by the officers. Officers Timothy Thomas, Patrick Vicari, Rich Tumidalsky, Phillip Merritt and Jeff Miller were named in the suit.Stancato said he was protesting Thomas' issuing a ticket to Stancato's girlfriend's son in August 2005 when Thomas decided to arrest him.

During the process, Thomas walked backward and tripped over an electrical box in the grass, falling over and pulling Stancato with him, the lawsuit alleges. Stancato claims the other officers Tased him about four times, and kicked and hit him in the head while arresting him. He sought damages for his injuries and the violation of his civil rights, as well as attorneys' fees and costs for having to file the lawsuit.

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A Cobb County jury awarded a Buford woman $1.2 million in damages for burn injuries she suffered from a cappuccino machine at a QuikTrip convenience store in 2007, her attorney said Wednesday. Cynthia Nance, 52, was scalded Halloween night 2007 at a store in Jackson County when 190-degree water shot from the coffee machine because a part had been removed for cleaning. Nance was burned on her hand and arm as she held a cup below the nozzle, said her attorney, Nelson Tyrone III. Tyrone said his client now suffers from a permanent nerve disorder called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy syndrome and could suffer lifelong repercussions. The suit was heard in Cobb State Court because QT is headquartered in that county, a representative of Tyrone’s firm said. A jury awarded $1.2 million in compensatory damages in late December, and the parties settled punitive damages out of court for an undisclosed amount. Tyrone said the company offered to settle with his client before trial for $88,000.