Riss v. City of New York

Linda Riss (plaintiff) was terrorized for over six months by a stalker, Burton Pugach, who repeatedly threatened to kill or maim her; she repeatedly sought help from the New York City Police Department (defendant), which provided no meaningful protection. After Pugach warned her it was her 'last chance' and police again failed to respond to her renewed plea, a man Pugach hired threw lye in Riss's face, blinding her in one eye, damaging vision in the other, and permanently scarring her. The city only began protecting her after the attack. Riss sued the city; the trial court dismissed the case before it reached the jury, and a divided appellate court affirmed.