Austin, TX personal injury attorney Scott Hendler discusses the legal hurdles one must be overcome to win a lawsuit for excessive force by a police officer. He explains that in recent years, there are numerous cases of police officers shooting and killing unarmed individuals, often prompting families to sue both the officers and the police departments. However, the courts impose significant hurdles for holding officers accountable, most notably the doctrine of qualified immunity, which is highly controversial. This legal defense allows officers to claim immunity from suit if they perceive the person they shoot as a threat to themselves or others. Although the standard is meant to be objective, it is frequently applied subjectively, meaning that if an officer has any legitimate reason to believe a threat exists, they are generally shielded from liability. This presents a challenging barrier for plaintiffs, and while several intermediate federal appellate courts question the doctrine, the Supreme Court recently reaffirms it. Efforts are underway in Congress to legislate changes to limit or eliminate qualified immunity, but it remains a formidable obstacle in police brutality cases.