A Melbourne man injured in an arrest almost five years ago is suing the state of Victoria, claiming police used excessive force when he was thrown to the ground and broke a finger, which later had to be amputated.

Taddis Gebrehiwot claims a police officer pushed him in the chest and slung him to the ground by the neck in Maddern Square in Footscray on the night of November 17, 2014 and that he heard a crack when he landed on the index finger on his right hand and also banged his head.

Taddis Gebrehiwot outside court on Friday. Credit:Justin McManus

‘‘I was screaming, 'My finger is broken, my finger is broken’,’’ Mr Gebrehiwot told a County Court civil trial on Friday.

He said despite his screaming, three officers were on him while he was on the ground, forced his hands behind his back and handcuffed him. He remained handcuffed until an ambulance arrived.