A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against a Philadelphia police officer and the city of Philadelphia by the mother of a slain man who was killed by the Pennsylvania cop. The wrongful death suit alleges that the police officer actions violated the man's constitutional rights.

The man died after being shot by police during a traffic stop. The suit claims that the police officer stopped the man for an unspeficified traffic violation and told the man to get out the vehicle so he could be frisked. After the man returned to his car, the police officer reached into the vehicle as it began to move, resulting in the officer shooting his gun and killing the man. 

The lawsuit claims that the man was unarmed and not a threat to the officer so there was no reason for the police officer to fire his gun and kill the man. The lawsuit states that the police officer's actions violated the man's right to due process and that the police officer's excessive use of force led to the plaintiff's death. 

The lawsuit also has a complaint against the city of Philadelphia, stating that the police officer's treatment of the man was a result of his police training, custom and practice by the police department.

The wrongful death lawsuit is part of a federal civil action against the police officer and city of Philadelphia. The federal civil action contends that the police officer's actions violated the deceased man's constitutional rights and those violations led to his death.

The wrongful death claim is seeking more than $150,000 in damages as well as costs, interest, delay damages and legal fees.

This case is an example of the legal action victim's families can take against those responsible for their death.

Source: The Pennsylvania Record, "Mother of man shot dead by Philly cop files wrongful death claim against city, officer," Jon Campisi, July 11, 2013