You'd Probably Sue Too

A Chicago Police Officer who was attacked while trying to break up a fight outside of Wrigley Field last year filed a lawsuit against his attacker Friday, claiming the man started biting and chewing on the officer’s thigh while he attempted to stop the fight.

Michael Ponti was working as a mass transit officer last May when he witnessed a fight break out about one block from Wrigley Field, at 940 W. Addison St., according to the suit filed in Cook County Circuit Court Friday.

Involved in the fight was Thomas DiMaggio, who allegedly began biting the officer’s leg when he interrupted the brawl, the suit said.

"The poor cop saw a fight, went to break it up and [DiMaggio] grabbed him and literally started chewing on his thigh," said Joseph FitzSimmons, Ponti’s lawyer. DiMaggio allegedly took a piece of flesh out of Ponti's leg and drew a substantial amount of blood.

DiMaggio was charged with aggravated battery following the incident, and was recently sentenced to community service hours, what FitzSimmons calls a "slap on the wrist."

The suit accuses DiMaggio of negligence and battery, claiming the attack was unprovoked and intentional. The injury also caused "great medical expenses” for Ponti, and caused the officer to lose time and wages from work, the suit said.

The suit asks for more than $100,000 in damages.