Lethal Excessive Force Attorney
Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside & Orange Counties
From the deaths of Freddie Gray and Eric Garner, the nation learned the deadly consequences of excessive police force. And these cases did not even involve the use of a firearm.
Police force can turn deadly in a variety of ways, some purely accidental, but some with negligence and malice as the clear causal factor. Police officers are allowed only to use force appropriate for the danger at hand, but too often these days we see officers resort to lethal means, such as police shooting or police tasing, even if their own life is not being threatened.
Losing a loved one at the hands of police is a truly tragic situation. During the long grieving process, many families simply lack the willpower or energy to file a wrongful death suit against the police department. Although the ensuing legal battle will be timely and difficult, a wrongful death lawsuit may be the only avenue for justice for a lost loved one, as police officers often do not receive any criminal punishment for wrongfully killing a civilian.
While the steps involved in seeking justice for a police excessive force death case can be painstaking, the awarded damages can be substantial. The family of Freddie Gray received a $6.4 million settlement from the City of Baltimore for the wrongful death of their son.
EXCESSIVE FOR BY POLICE
We want to hear your story
If you are reading this, it is likely that you or a loved one was a victim of excessive force that resulted in serious injury or wrongful death.
Police misconduct lawyers are here to assist you following a police wrongful death of a family member or loved one. We service those in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Orange County, San Bernardino and Riverside. Our lawyers have the skills and expertise to seek justice for your deceased family member. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Filing a Wrongful Death Suit Against the Police
Families of the victims of lethal police brutality can take their case to both federal and state court. Different laws apply to each court and you should consult with one of our police misconduct attorneys to determine the best course of action.
Section 1983: These kinds of cases are taken to federal court and allow the victim’s family to sue for monetary damages, covering medical and funeral expenses, pain and suffering, etc. but also punitive damages, designed to punish the officer for using excessive force.
State tort: These types of cases include wrongful death, battery and negligence suits. These kinds of cases are similar to normal suits between two citizens except that often the city or the police department pays the damages.