Robert Matican, a police informant, sued the City of New York after he was attacked by a drug dealer. Apparently, Matican had assisted officers with a drug bust, and was attacked and injured when the impacted drug dealer subsequently spotted Matican on the street.
Although the Queens County Supreme Court threw out the case, the Appellate Division, Second Department, reversed. While officers aren't usually liable for negligence, a suit may be filed if injury is caused because cops promised, and then failed, to keep the informant's identity secret.
Now that's telling.
To view a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Matican v. City of New York