Which case established that courts consider the extent of injuries when evaluating the use of force?

The case that established that courts consider the extent of injuries when evaluating the use of force is Graham v. Connor. This landmark decision set the standard for assessing claims of excessive force by law enforcement officers. The ruling emphasized the importance of a "reasonable officer" standard, meaning that an officer's use of force should be evaluated based on what a reasonable officer would have done in the same situation, taking into account the severity of the threat faced at that moment.

In Graham v. Connor, the Supreme Court determined that the reasonableness of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of an officer on the scene rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight. The extent of the injuries sustained by the individual is a critical component in this evaluation because it helps courts determine whether the level of force used was appropriate in relation to the threat posed.

Thus, the case has significant implications for law enforcement practices, reinforcing the need for officers to evaluate their response based on the level of threat and the resulting injuries, which further clarifies the legal standards surrounding the use of force in policing.