Man Sues Police for Breaking Leg During ER Outburst

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Terry Emel, a 67-year-old Pennsylvania man, has filed a lawsuit against three Bloomsburg police officers, accusing them of using excessive force that resulted in a broken leg. Emel claims the incident occurred last June after he became upset over having to remove $3,000 from his pocket to pass through hospital security at Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, where his wife was being treated. Emel says he was standing near his vehicle when the officers arrived and he immediately put his hands up, but was then tackled and handcuffed, leading to the leg injury.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions between law enforcement and citizens over the appropriate use of force, especially in situations involving mental health crises or non-violent behavior. It also raises questions about hospital security protocols and how they can escalate confrontations with patients' family members.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Emel became upset when told he would have to remove the $3,000 he had in his pocket to enter the emergency department. After being asked to stop using profanity and speaking loudly, Emel went outside for cigarettes. When he returned, security again asked him to remove the money from his pocket. Emel was then standing near his vehicle when police arrived and he immediately put his hands up, but an officer pushed him to the ground and another tackled him, resulting in a broken femur that required surgery.

• On June 10, 2026, Emel accompanied his wife to Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital.
• Emel was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and defiant trespass, but the charges were later withdrawn.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on a future date whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed.