Were you or a family member a victim of police brutality in Las Vegas, NV? Do you believe the police violated your civil rights? You may be entitled to financial compensation. An experienced Las Vegas civil rights-police brutality lawyer at Battle Born Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering.
Our lawyers put more than 85 years of combined experience to work in every case. We’ve proven our ability to achieve top results by recovering over $100 million in settlements and verdicts for our injured clients.
Victims of police brutality often have questions about their legal options. Contact our law offices in Las Vegas, Nevada at (702) 570-9000 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how our lawyers can help.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer at Battle Born Injury Lawyers Help if the Las Vegas Police Violated My Civil Rights?
You expect the police to protect you from harm–not to cause additional harm. Unfortunately, police officers often ignore the law when exercising their duties. Although it may seem that the police have the law on their side, police officers are not immune from consequences when they step over the line.
If you were injured by the police, our Las Vegas personal injury law firm will do everything in our power to hold them accountable.
When you hire Battle Born Injury Lawyers, you’ll have an entire team of experienced attorneys on your side. Over the years, we’ve been recognized as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. We’ve also won the Avvo Client Choice Award for our exceptional legal services.
You can expect our legal team to:
- Thoroughly investigate and gather evidence to prove your case
- Retain experts who can help us establish that the officer’s actions were unlawful
- Consult specialists who can help assign a dollar value to your difficult-to-value non-financial losses
- Identify every party who is legally responsible for your damages
- Stand up and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve
You’ve already been through enough. Let our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys help you recover fair compensation. Give us a call today to learn more.
How Common Is Police Brutality?
Police brutality is both dangerous and expensive. More than $3.2 billion has been paid by police departments across the United States to settle police brutality claims before they go to trial. Unfortunately, money can’t undo the damage caused by police violence.
According to one organization dedicated to tracking police violence, police officers killed 1,237 people across the U.S. in 2022. Unfortunately, Black Americans are about 2.9 times more likely to be killed by law enforcement officers than white Americans.
In 2022, police killed 5.8 people per every 1 million Nevada residents. Because Nevada’s population is just under 3.2 million, that works out to about 18 police killings in a single year.
Early in 2023, the Las Vegas police department agreed to settle two police brutality lawsuits for $3.5 million. That settlement amount is in addition to amounts paid by the police department’s insurance company.
Do I Have a Valid Civil Rights or Police Brutality Lawsuit?
Police and other government officials are required to follow the law like anyone else. While most law enforcement officials are respectful and behave ethically, sometimes police cross the line. If you believe your civil rights were violated, you may have a valid claim for damages.
Under federal law, police who are acting under the “color of law” can be held liable for civil rights violations. The relevant law is 42 U.S.C. §1983.
To successfully file a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim, you must prove:
- The officer who committed the acts was acting under the “color of law”
- The defendant deprived you of a civil right guaranteed by a state or federal constitution
Police act under the “color of law” when they’re performing their duties under state law. In other words, Section 1983 applies in situations where the officer is exercising their legal authority. It also holds the police responsible when they suggest that they’re acting within their legal authority–even if they are not.
You may be entitled to file a civil lawsuit against the individual police officer and the police department itself. As the officer’s employer, the police department itself can be held liable for the officer’s wrongful acts.
We Represent Victims in All Types of Police Misconduct Cases
Our lawyers in Las Vegas handle all types of police brutality claims, including those involving:
- Unjustified shooting
- False arrests
- Unlawful detention
- Assault, including beating a suspect who has already been subdued
- Illegal or unreasonable searches and seizures
- Coercing a confession
- Fabricating evidence or tampering with evidence
- Sexual assault
- Civil rights violations if you are a member of a protected class
- Neglect of inmates’ health in jail or prison
- Cruel and unusual punishment
- Harassment
- Verbal abuse
- Racial profiling
- Allowing police “K-9” dogs to bite or attack suspects
Police officers can use some force in conducting their official duties. However, they can be held liable for the use of excessive force. That’s true regardless of state-qualified immunity laws designed to protect law enforcement officers. Police who use unreasonable amounts of force can be held liable in both civil and criminal court.
Police are often found to have used excessive force in cases involving:
- Physical violence, including punching and kicking
- Firearms and batons
- Tasers
- Choke holds
- Pepper spray
- Tear gas
- The unreasonable use of restraints
If the police deny your civil rights, it’s important to seek legal representation. These cases can be emotionally charged and difficult to prove. At Battle Born Injury Lawyers, we’re prepared to fight for you. Call our Las Vegas personal injury law firm today to schedule a free case review.
What Types of Damages May Be Available to Victims of Police Brutality or Civil Rights Violations in Las Vegas?
Victims of police brutality and civil rights violations can seek compensation for all of their financial losses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning potential
- Medical devices and medications
- Rehabilitation
- Psychological counseling and therapy
- Funeral costs, burial expenses, and other damages for wrongful death
Some costs associated with an injury don’t have a clear monetary value. These non-economic damages can be difficult to prove. They can also add a significant amount of value to your overall settlement or verdict.
Examples of your non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Shame and humiliation
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
You may also be entitled to punitive damages in cases involving intentional police misconduct and wrongdoing. These damages are designed to punish your aggressor and their employer.
Our lawyers are here to help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve. To learn more about your right to compensation, contact our Las Vegas civil rights-police brutality attorneys for a free case evaluation today.
The Consequences of Police Brutality Can Be Severe
Victims of police brutality often suffer severe physical injuries. They’re also left with lasting emotional scars.
Our lawyers often represent victims who are struggling with:
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Gunshot wounds
- Internal organ damage
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Severe depression and other mental health issues
- PTSD and fear
Of course, police officers carry deadly weapons. That means an altercation with law enforcement always has the potential to be fatal. If you lost a loved one due to an officer’s use of excessive force, unlawful discharge of a firearm, or otherwise, our wrongful death lawyers are here to help.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Civil Rights or Police Brutality Lawsuit in Las Vegas, Nevada?
There are many ways to fight for justice if the police have violated your civil rights. However, you’ll have to adhere to certain deadlines or you could lose your right to seek compensation.
To protect your rights under 42 U.S.C. 1983, you must file a lawsuit within two years of the incident. Under Nevada state law, you also have only two years to file a lawsuit against the police.
You can also file a misconduct complaint against the Las Vegas Police Department. These complaints must be filed within one year of the incident. Again, if you wait too long to take legal action, you can forfeit your right to seek justice.
Each jurisdiction has its own specific deadlines. That means it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney right away if your rights have been violated. Our lawyers at Battle Born Injury Lawyers will help you determine the deadlines that apply to your case–and take action to protect you.
Schedule a Free Case Review With a Las Vegas Civil Rights-Police Brutality Lawyer Today
Police brutality and civil rights violations are never acceptable. If you’re struggling in the aftermath, contact a Las Vegas civil rights-police brutality attorney today. At Battle Born Injury Lawyers, your consultation is always free of charge.
