A Gainesville man who was struck by a former Hall County jailer filed a civil suit last week against Hall County.

Andronico Pedraza Jr. filed the suit on Dec. 23 against Hall County relating to a Dec. 30, 2012, incident at the Hall County Jail involving former jailer David Pirkle.

Pirkle pleaded guilty in August 2013 to simple battery for striking Pedraza in the back of the head while handcuffed.

The sentence for the misdemeanor was 12 months probation and a $675 fine.

“At the time of the assault that forms the basis of Plaintiff’s complaint, Plaintiff had the right to be free from excessive force and from cruel and unusual punishment under the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution,” Pedraza’s complaint reads.

Pedraza claims in his complaint that the battery will necessitate further medical and hospital expenses, saying he “continues to suffer severe bodily harm, great mental anguish and distress …”

Pirkle was fired on Jan. 8, 2013.

Pedraza lists $10,000 as the amount incurred for “medical, hospital, nursing, medication and miscellaneous expenses” related to the incident.

The suit asks for compensatory damages related to mental and emotional distress and attorney’s fees.