"Hula Hoop Lady" files lawsuit

NORFOLK, Va. - A local woman tasered by Norfolk police has filed a $5-million lawsuit in Norfolk Circuit Court. Attorneys for Pamela Brown, better known as the "Hula Hoop Lady," say her arrest was not justified.

Stephen M. Smith, attorney and founder of The Brain Injury Law Center, which specializes in traumatic brain injury cases, along with Carlton Bennett of Virginia Beach, have filed a lawsuit on behalf of Pamela Brown.

Brown was tasered repeatedly by a Norfolk police officer, despite her pleas that her medical condition prevented her from complying with his demands. The suit is filed against the arresting officer, Nicholas Parks.

"Ms. Brown is a brain injury survivor who is regularly seen hula hooping in the area where she was assaulted," said Smith.

Smith, who is President of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia describes the policeman's conduct as outrageous.

"This is not excessive force, this is police brutality," said Smith. "Ms. Brown is a brain injury survivor who is very child-like. She deserves protection from the police, not torture."

Smith hopes that not only will the lawsuit compensate Ms. Brown, but that it will force Norfolk to better train its officers to understand the plight of brain injury survivors.

Norfolk City Attorney Bernard Pishko says Parks did not know Brown had a brain injury at the time of the arrest.