Woman awarded $431,000 for Occupy Wall Street police actions

A Manhattan woman was awarded over $400,000 on Friday by a federal jury after she sued New York City and its police department, saying she suffered a traumatic brain injury when she was thrown to the ground.

The $431,250 award was won by Mary Tardif almost a decade ago. She was a medic for protesters at multiple rallies staged by the grassroots movement that began in Manhattan and was known for its refrain: "We are the 99 percent."

Tardif said the verdict was very vindicating.

Tardif works at the Broadway Advocacy Coalition where she does sign language interpreting for Broadway shows and serves as a disability adviser.

Tardif said she thought the verdict was a win for the people who never got to see this day or have their day in court.

It feels like a victory for everyone. I would like to give it to them. She celebrated at a restaurant near the courthouse with her service dog, Daisy, who was hidden from jurors, as she talked about how many people were injured at rallies.

The New York City Law Department was disappointed with the result and was looking at options.

The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan reinstated the case after the jury rejected the claims.

Tardif was never thrown to the ground. The jury was not aware that there were new injuries at the second trial that were never alleged in the first trial.

According to the city attorney, a police sergeant who has since been promoted to lieutenant grabbed Tardif's arms and moved her away as police were clearing a park in Union Square because she had put her hands on a police officer's back.

The man fell to the ground. He said that the person was not thrown.

The attorney argued that the sergeant grabbed her with both of his hands.

She was thrown to the ground. He said that she hit the pavement.

Tardif claimed in her lawsuit that her epileptic condition was not taken seriously after she was arrested at several protests while she was a medic. They kicked her and threw her to the ground, according to the lawsuit.

According to trial evidence and Tardif's statements, the violent encounter at Union Square caused her head to slam into the ground with such force that she was left with a permanent brain injury that left her unable to work.