Were you harassed, mistreated, or even injured by the police? Or was a loved one killed as a result of police misconduct or negligence? If so, you may have a viable police brutality case in Cleveland, Ohio.
By filing a legal claim with help from your lawyer at The Cochran Firm, you can get justice and receive compensation for your losses. You just need to request a free consultation to discuss your case and see if you have a legal claim. Here's what you need to know as you wait for your chance to speak to a police brutality attorney.
What Counts as Police Brutality?
Police officers have a duty to uphold the law without causing unnecessary harm to the public. So, any time police officers use excessive force or go against other codes of conduct, they could end up causing harm. Although shootings end up in the news most often, police brutality comes in many forms.
Most police brutality cases arise when their misconduct or negligence results in:
- Harassment
- Mental distress
- Physical injury
- Death
In some cases, property damage can also count as police brutality if the incident occurred as a result of an officer's misconduct or negligence. Suppose the police brutality occurred due to department-wide issues or a total lack of oversight. In that case, you may even be able to file a lawsuit against the entire police department.
Your police brutality lawyer will need to assess the circumstances of your case to help determine who's potentially responsible for the incident. Beyond that, they can help you determine which losses occurred due to the officer's misconduct and/or negligence and their department, if applicable.
Overcoming a High Burden of Proof
When it comes to police brutality cases, you must overcome a high burden of proof to win your case. Your evidence must clearly show that excessive force or other forms of misconduct occurred. It must go beyond a reasonable doubt to show clear and convincing evidence you were unduly harmed by the police officer.
For those reasons, it is important to have a skilled and experienced police brutality attorney on your side. They can help you gather all the right evidence and present it to the court clearly and concisely. They can also link the evidence back to the incident to tell your story and show the court why they should rule in your favor.
How Immunity Can Complicate Your Case
Although police officers must uphold the law without causing undue harm, they do have immunity on their side. Through the immunity statutes, police officers can use certain kinds of force to make arrests and otherwise complete their job duties. This immunity creates a gray area that can make it difficult to prove the officers acted in bad faith or went beyond what's deemed reasonable.
Potentially complicating matters further are the protections given to police departments by state and federal laws. Since it's a government agency, you might not be able to file a lawsuit against the police department, depending on the circumstances of your case.
A police brutality lawyer can help you show the court that the officer's actions are not protected by immunity. They will also help you figure out where to best file your grievances and who to file a lawsuit against, especially if you would like to sue the police department as well. A case like this will take a team of experienced attorneys to prove you have been wronged.
Why File a Civil Lawsuit for Police Brutality
When you seek legal help and file a civil suit for police brutality in Cleveland, Ohio, you can potentially benefit in the following ways.
Get Justice Through the Court
After falling victim to police brutality, you likely feel a strong sense of injustice and a general mistrust of the police as a whole. By seeking justice through the court, you can start to feel safe again, knowing that the system will hold the perpetrator accountable.
Receive Compensation
Beyond the loss of trust, police brutality can leave you dealing with many other losses, such as:
- High medical bills
- Therapy expenses
- Income losses
- Property repairs or replacement
You might also deserve compensation for pain and suffering caused by police misconduct or negligence.
Thankfully, it is possible to seek compensation when you file a lawsuit with help from a police brutality attorney. They will help you assess your losses and assign a fair and just monetary figure representing the damages the police officer and department may have caused. Although financial compensation cannot fully make up for your losses, it can help you start to recover.
Stop the Pattern of Behavior
With true accountability for police brutality comes department-wide changes that help stop the pattern of behavior. Although it's not your responsibility to change the world, it can feel good to help other people stay safe from misconduct. Helping make changes that reduce the risk of police brutality can also help you feel safe while moving about your Cleveland, Ohio community in the future.
Your police brutality lawyer can help you decide if filing a legal claim is the right choice for you. All you need to do is set up a free consultation to discuss the details of your case to receive their guidance and support. By becoming well-informed about the benefits of filing a police brutality legal case, you can make the best decision for your needs and move forward with confidence.
Need Help with Your Cleveland Ohio Police Brutality Case?
If you or your loved ones were victims of police brutality, we welcome you to contact our team at The Cochran Firm with a call to 1-800-THE FIRM. Our Cleveland, Ohio can use their experience fighting for justice to help you with your police brutality legal case. We look forward to helping you seek justice and receive compensation for any damages incurred. So, feel free to call today to set up a free consultation appointment where you can discuss your case and see if you can file a legal claim.