Numerous laws at the state and federal levels are designed to protect individuals from the harm that can result from discrimination.
These laws, also known as civil rights, are created to ensure that every individual in our country obtains equal treatment, including employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. These laws also protect individuals from mistreatment by their jailers and law enforcement.
Consequently, if you suffered because of this discriminatory behavior, you may be able to go after compensation for what you went through and the harm you suffered as a result. For further information about these civil rights and the legal options that may apply, consider contacting an experienced Chicago civil rights lawyer at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today.
Wrongful Convictions From Civil Rights Violations Guide
What You Need to Know About Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys is a trial law firm that handles some of the most complex injury cases in the state. For years, our knowledgeable and skilled attorneys have been helping our clients obtain the compensation they deserve for the injuries they endured at the hands of another.
As a result, we have helped countless clients, acquired millions of dollars for them, and made sure that wrongful parties were held accountable for the wrong they had done.
For these reasons, if you feel you have a civil rights violation case or would like to go over your situation further, reach out to Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for a free case evaluation. Our attorneys can discuss your options over the phone or meet with you at one of our many offices.
At the end of the day, our mission is to deliver exceptional results for our clients while advocating for them at the highest level. So reach out to us today to find out how we can help you go after the outcome you both want and need.
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What is a Civil Rights Violation?
A civil right is a right that is granted to every individual in the United States to protect them from unfair treatment.
These rights include:
- A right to petition the government
- Freedom of speech, assembly, and religion
- A right to procedural due process
- Freedom from discrimination for protected classes (race, sex, and national origin)
Consequently, a civil rights violation is an offense resulting from a threat or force against an individual based on being a member of a protected category.
Some of the more common examples of civil rights violations include:
- An unreasonable search and seizure
- A cruel and unusual punishment
- Abuse by a public official
- Discrimination based on superficial beliefs
However, if your civil rights were violated, you may be able to pursue certain types of recovery for the harm you suffered. That is why consider reaching out to an experienced civil rights lawyer that can take on your case and fight on your behalf as soon as possible.
Some More Common Examples of Civil Rights Violations
Unfortunately, individuals can be subject to a number of civil rights violations.
And while these civil rights violations will depend on the circumstances, in general, some of the more common cases our firm has come across involve:
- Excessive force during an arrest
- Coerced confessions
- Abusive actions by security and other law enforcement agencies
- Racial profiling
- Searches without a warrant or home invasions
- Violations of due process rights
- The use of intimation, abuse, or threats
- Wrongful convictions
- False arrests
- Denial of due process
- Violations of other civil rights
While this list may look extensive, it contains only some violations that can lead to a civil rights infringement. If you believe your civil rights have been violated, it may be a good idea to speak with an experienced civil rights attorney. At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, our skilled lawyers can review what happened, determine what legal avenues you may have, and help you fight for the justice you deserve.
What Happens When Your Civil Rights Violation Leads to an Injury
Unfortunately, when your civil rights are violated, the consequences can be devastating, not only emotionally but physically and financially as well. Take, for example, the following actions that can not only violate your civil rights but can lead to injury and, in some cases, even death:
Excessive Force
When law enforcement officers use more force than is required to contain a citizen or subdue them, it can result in devastating injuries, such as head and brain injuries, lacerations, cardiac arrest, and burn injuries. For example, depending on the circumstances, tasering can exceed appropriate use of force and can lead to debilitating consequences.
False Arrests
A false arrest refers to detaining or restraining another person without lawful justification. Injuries, and in some cases, death can result when an individual tries to resist this arrest and police officers decide to use excessive force.
Home Invasions and Searches
When police officers perform a home invasion and search without a warrant, it can lead to individuals getting harmed in the process, especially if the person does not comply with the officer’s demands.
Not Using Verbal Commands
When an officer does not use a verbal command to get a person to comply with their demands before using physical force, it can result in the individual suffering extensive harm and losses, including broken bones, brain injuries, soft tissue injuries, and other trauma.
Hitting
If an individual has not resisted arrest or is no longer capable of withstanding arrest but still gets struck by a police officer, it can lead to severe trauma.
Use of a Dog
Suppose an officer uses a dog to subdue a person when they have not been given proper time to comply with the officer’s demands. In that case, the animal can cause the individual to endure horrifying injuries and losses, including extensive puncture wounds, scarring, and infections.
Consequently, if police violated your civil rights and harmed you, it is time to fight back and go after the financial recovery you deserve. In these situations, consider reaching out to a knowledgeable civil rights attorney, like those from Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys. Our skilled legal professionals can review your case, figure out what legal actions you should take, and help you fight for a just outcome.
The Legal Options Available After a Civil Rights Violation
If your civil rights were violated and you suffered damages, you can be compensated for your losses. For example, if a police officer used aggressive force in their arrest that was not justified under the circumstances, or they tortured you to make a confession, you may be able to hold the officer accountable for your resulting injuries due to the violation of your civil rights.
This means you would be able to file a lawsuit against the wrongful party and go after monetary damages. However, outside of pursuing this suit, there are also other options that may be available when your civil rights have been violated, including negotiating a settlement with the other side and filing a claim with the government agency.
Working with a knowledgeable civil rights attorney can help you understand which options would work best for you and assist you as you go after the justice and financial damages you are entitled to.
The Financial Damages Available When You Suffered an Injury Through a Civil Rights Violation
Suppose you suffered harm at the hands of a government agency because of a civil rights violation.
In that case, you might pursue compensation for the harm and losses you suffered, including payment for:
- Reasonable medical expenses related to the injury, such as doctor costs, hospital stay, surgeries, medication, and other treatment expenses
- Loss of wages from not being able to work due to the injuries
- Diminished earning capacity
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Future, ongoing treatments
- Property damage expenses
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Other losses resulting from the civil rights violation
Going over the incident with a skilled civil rights attorney can help you figure out not only which of these damages you can pursue, but these attorneys can also prepare the strongest case on your behalf as they fight for the maximum damages you are entitled to.
The Time Limitations to File a Claim Following a Personal Injury After a Civil Rights Violation
If you suffered an injury because of a civil rights violation, it is important to note that the time to act is limited. Not only are there certain laws that dictate the number of times individuals have to bring a legal case, referred to as the statute of limitations, but these periods may also change when governmental agencies are involved.
For these reasons, if you want to ensure your claim is filed before time expires, consider contacting an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, our legal team can determine not only how much time you have to file your legal case, but we can also ensure your legal motions are put together and filed with the appropriate office or court before time expires.
How Much Does a Civil Rights Lawyer Cost?
One of the main reasons individuals do not hire an attorney to help with their civil rights legal case is they believe they will not be able to afford it. However, what these individuals need to realize is in many civil rights cases, law firms tend to work under a contingency fee arrangement, meaning that the client will not have to pay the lawyer upfront for their legal services.
Instead, under this arrangement, the attorney will only receive a percentage of the verdict or settlement the client receives once they have won the case. And more importantly, if the client loses, they will not have to pay their attorney’s fees.
In addition, when you contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, our attorneys can also provide you with a free case consultation, where we can go over your case, determine a course of action you should pursue, and help get you started on your claim at no cost to you.
Contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys Today and Fight for the Justice You Deserve After a Civil Rights Violation
If your civil rights were violated, you are likely worried and confused about what this violation means and what actions you should take next. Thankfully, when you work with an experienced civil rights attorney, you will not have to take on this challenging ordeal alone. Instead, these legal professionals can provide you with the guidance you need to make the critical decisions about your claim and help you go after the outcome you want.
Furthermore, when you work with an experienced legal team from Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, your lawyers can:
- Thoroughly review your situation and everything you went through, determine the legal options that are available to you, and figure out what legal remedies you may be able to pursue.
- Review the different factors that resulted from this horrifying incident and determine a possible assessment of your claim.
- Build the strongest case possible on your behalf and go after the results you need.
- File administrative complaints or claims and manage communications with the other side regarding the case.
- Negotiate settlement offers that adequately compensate you for everything you endured because of this incident.
- Ensure that legal filings are done before time runs out.
- Head to trial if the other party is not willing to settle your case for a fair amount, and go after the total monetary recovery you deserve.
If you believe your civil rights were violated, consider seeking assistance from an experienced civil rights lawyer as soon as possible. Contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today at (312) 726-1616 for a free case consultation, and let our team help you figure out what you should do next.
