A Dunedin man is suing Pinellas County Sheriff Jim Coats because a deputy handcuffed him during an arrest last year.
According to jail records, Todd Evans was arrested Nov. 30 on charges of drunken driving, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In his lawsuit, Evans, 39, says Deputy Jason Johnson "negligently and improperly" put handcuffs on his wrists, causing "neurological damages and permanent injuries."
The deputy's negligence resulted in "mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expense of medical and nursing care and treatment, loss of ability to earn money, aggravation of a previously existing condition and other legal damages as are yet undetermined," the lawsuit states.
Sheriff's office spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda said the agency had not received the lawsuit, but as a rule does not comment on pending litigation. Policy dictates that a deputy handcuff a suspect as soon as possible once the person is under arrest.
Evans' lawsuit, filed Monday in Pinellas circuit court, seeks unspecified damages in excess of $15,000.
His attorney did not return a telephone call today.
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