A construction worker from Michigan has been awarded a multi-million dollar payout after a police officer's savage punch left him permanently blind in one eye.
A Brutal Assault and Life-Changing Injuries
A jury granted Daniel Reiff $4 million in compensatory damages on Monday, finding that Clinton Township Police Officer Broc Setty used "excessive force" during an encounter in April 2021. The 37-year-old roofer also received an additional $50,000 in punitive damages.
The incident began on 2 April 2021, when Reiff was on his way to a roofing job in Clinton Township. A neighbour had called the non-emergency number to report a "suspicious person" after Reiff got off a bus. According to his attorney, Jon Marko, Reiff instinctively ran when police approached him due to a past history with drugs and anxiety, believing he had done nothing wrong and did not need to stay.
A Chase and a Vicious Punch
The lawsuit, filed in March 2023, detailed how Officer Setty, then 38, gave chase in his police car, allegedly speeding "the wrong way down a three-lane highway." Bodycam footage later captured Setty exiting his vehicle and running after Reiff while screaming, "Whoo, baby, I’m gonna tase you, bro."
When he caught Reiff, the officer demanded he get on his "f***ing stomach or I'll punch you!" Legal documents state that Setty then followed through with his threat, violently punching Reiff in the left eye.
The consequences were catastrophic. Medical examination revealed Reiff suffered severe facial and orbital fractures. His lawyer described how the victim's eyeball "squished like a grape," requiring multiple surgeries and the insertion of metal screws into his face. The damage left him completely without sight in his left eye.
Lasting Trauma and a Jury's Verdict
Reiff demanded a jury trial, arguing he suffered not only profound physical damage but also lasting emotional and traumatic suffering. "Reiff continues to experience fear, distrust, and anxiety regarding law enforcement officers," the lawsuit read.
After four years, the jury sided with him, delivering the substantial financial verdict. Marko indicated that a significant portion of the award will cover Reiff's medical bills, which have ballooned to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It remains unclear if Officer Broc Setty is still serving with the Clinton Township Police Department. Public records show he was promoted to Sergeant in January 2022 and had previously been featured on the department's Facebook page for work with a non-profit.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about police use of force and accountability, resulting in a multi-million dollar consequence for one officer's actions.
