Police officers are responsible for protecting the safety and freedoms of citizens, but they must be held accountable when they violate those rights. If you or a loved one has experienced police misconduct in New York City, our NY Police Misconduct Lawyers can help. We have extensive experience fighting for victims of police misconduct and will work to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Police misconduct claims are a complex area of law that requires special expertise to successfully pursue. Victims must be able to prove that an officer’s actions went beyond reasonable bounds, deprived them of their constitutional rights, and led to injury or harm. In addition, there are often multiple parties that can be held liable in a civil rights case, including government employees, other officers involved in the incident, and non-police personnel such as medical staff at jails or detention centers. Identifying all liable parties in a civil rights claim is an essential step in maximizing the chances of receiving maximum compensation.
While most law enforcement officials perform their very difficult job admirably, there are a number of cases in which the law is broken by people who should know better. If you have been the victim of a serious violation of your civil rights by someone in authority, contact an experienced New York Police misconduct attorney for civil rights violations right away to discuss your legal options.
In many cases, civil rights attorneys are able to file a lawsuit against the individual officer that committed the misconduct. However, in other cases, it may be necessary to sue the department or municipality that employs the officer. For example, if the police department has a history of lax hiring practices or insufficient training programs that lead to an officer’s wrongful conduct, it could be liable for violations of civil rights under 42 U.S. Code, Section 1983.
The first step in a civil rights case against a police officer is to file a Notice of Claim. This is a formal request that identifies the specific incidents of misconduct on which you are basing your claim. Our New York Police Misconduct lawyers can assist with this process, ensuring all documents are filed accurately and within the required deadlines.
Once the Notice of Claim has been filed, you will need to begin gathering evidence in support of your complaint. This includes taking photographs of any injuries or damage caused by the police, and setting aside any clothing that was torn or stained with blood during the incident. It is also important to get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Finally, it is a good idea to write down exactly what happened so you do not forget any important details.
In addition to monetary damages for the physical and emotional trauma caused by the incident, our firm can seek compensation for a variety of other expenses. These include medical expenses, loss of income or potential future earning capacity, and other out-of-pocket costs incurred directly as a result of the police misconduct.