NEW YORK - February 26, 2009 - The family of a mentally disturbed man who died after being targeted by a New York police Taser gun is suing for 10 million USD.

The family of Iman Morales is seeking the damages from the New York Police Department, New York City and the officers involved.

"The lawsuit was filed this morning to seek justice for civil rights violations against Mr. Morales when police tasered him and caused him to fall head first to the sidewalk below," family lawyer Seth Harris said.

Morales, 35, died in September when he fell to the ground from a gate shortly after being tasered.

The emotionally disturbed man was naked and waving a fluorescent light at officers. The stun gun sent 50,000 volts into Morales' body, leading him to fall on the footpath.

Just over a week later, Lieutenant Michael Pigott, the commanding officer who had ordered a subordinate to use the Taser, committed suicide.

An amateur video of the incident was posted on YouTube, catching worldwide attention.

Harris also said that the family was seeking changes to the rules for using the powerful, but supposedly non-lethal weapons.

"We are seeking an evaluation of what their retraining exercises are with regard to the use of Tasers... make sure that they are properly implemented and the officers using these weapons are continually educated."