Thanks to social media and other technological advances, victims of police brutality have a platform to speak about the abuse they suffered and pressure police departments to hold their officers accountable. The Los Angeles Police Department, in particular, has faced countless accusations of physical abuse, racial profiling, and police corruption over the past several decades. As a result, many people no longer trust law enforcement to protect them.
Are you a victim of police brutality, or did you lose a family member due to excessive force by a law enforcement officer? If so, please contact our law firm immediately and talk to a member of our legal team. You may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the LAPD or any other police department in California for attacking you or a loved one.
We understand if you are hesitant to contact a lawyer, as taking legal action of any kind is a big decision. And you are probably scared of retaliation by the police if you go ahead with a lawsuit. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to suing for police brutality. The key is to learn about your rights and make an informed decision that’s right for you and the ones you care about.
Is Filing a Lawsuit against the LAPD the Right Thing to Do?
It’s worth noting that lawsuits are not just about compensation, though payment for your medical bills and other financial burdens are essential if you are to move forward with your life. But there is a bigger issue at hand when it comes to negligence and malicious conduct by people who are sworn to uphold the law. Unfortunately, some officers get into the mindset of “rules for thee, but not for me.” Essentially, their authority as law enforcement somehow makes them above the law. In addition, many police departments are notorious for protecting their own, even if it means the same officer continues to brutalize people for many years.
There is no denying that speaking out against illegal and unethical behavior by the police takes tremendous courage. However, it’s crucial that victims come forward and send a message to the public that police brutality will not be tolerated. Otherwise, the same violent individual can go on to traumatize, injure, or kill other innocent people. By exercising your rights and demanding justice, you are protecting others in your community from bodily harm and psychological damage.
Our law firm is dedicated to helping residents, workers, and visitors in the Greater Los Angeles area. We help people who are unfairly targeted by the police and harassed or physically attacked. Alternatively, you may have suffered injuries from excessive force during an arrest or while you were in jail. Perhaps you are dealing with the unimaginable grief of losing a loved one because a police officer used a firearm, chokehold, or another method of violence that was unnecessary.
We are available 24/7t to help the victims of misconduct by the LAPD, so contact us to speak with a California police brutality attorney. During a free consultation, we will take the time to answer your questions and talk to you about the available legal options. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge and the promise that we will fight tirelessly to protect your interests.
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What is Police Misconduct?
Frankly, many people are intimated by police officers, and it’s never a good feeling when you are pulled over or questioned. In many instances, you may feel bullied or talked down to by a cop, and this can add to the feeling of fear and suspicion when it comes to people in law enforcement. But sometimes, there are cops who take things too far and use unnecessary force against others.
Examples of actions that are classified as police misconduct include, but are not limited to:
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Using an unreasonable amount of physical force when restraining and handcuffing someone
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Kicking, choking, and punching a civilian when they do not pose a threat
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Using pepper spray offensively, i.e., using it as a tool of control, intimidation, or aggression
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Physical or sexual assault against civilians that are restrained / handcuffed
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Misuse of Taser devices (stun guns), firearms, and other weapons
Categories of Police Misconduct
Police misconduct is a broad term that covers different kinds of violence and other harmful acts that are perpetrated by members of the LAPD. The four main categories of police misconduct are as follows:
- Assault and battery – use of excessive force when arresting, questioning, or detaining a civilian
- Unlawful arrest – arresting someone without probable cause
- False imprisonment – detaining someone against their will without a warrant or some other legal justification
- Malicious prosecution – the prosecution of a civilian without probable cause, based on malicious intent
If you were victimized by a police officer, you may be entitled to monetary damages from a lawsuit. The police misconduct lawyers of Normandie can talk to you about the process of suing the LAPD during a free, confidential case review.
Duties of a Police Officer
The duties of a law enforcement officer play a crucial role in our understanding of police brutality and other illegal acts perpetrated on the public. A cop’s duties to the community are outlined in the LAPD’s mission statement:
“The mission of the Los Angeles Police Department is to safeguard the lives and property of the people they serve, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime, and enhance public safety while working with the diverse communities of Los Angeles to improve their quality of life. The Department’s goal is to do so with honor and integrity, while conducting themselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain public confidence.”
We can all agree on the importance of the department acting with honor and integrity, which are essential to building trust with the community they serve. Sadly, there are many cases of officers going against the mission statement, thereby instilling fear and a reluctance to get police involved. In essence, the trust between the LAPD and the public has been greatly damaged over the years, and this is largely based on a disturbing rate of police brutality.
Please note that you have civil rights, which cannot be taken away from you, even by those who work for law enforcement. Under the Bane Act, it is illegal for police officers to violate a person’s civil liberties through the use of intimidation, coercion, threats, and/or violence. To learn more about your right to sue the LAPD, contact the police abuse lawsuit attorneys of Normandie as soon as possible.
Bodily Harm Caused by Police Brutality
Police misconduct can lead to severe injuries that result in disability, and even death. Victims can easily die from gunshot wounds, head trauma, or blocked airways if they are placed in a chokehold. Even pepper spray can cause severe allergic reactions that leave the victim with lifelong complications.
Once the broken bones, lacerations, and other injuries heal, you still have to deal with the trauma of being attacked by a police officer. It’s very common for police brutality victims to have PTSD and other mental health disorders that make it difficult to move forward from the incident. A lawsuit against the police department can help you obtain funds for medical treatments, therapy, and other expenses you should not have to pay for on your own.
Compensation from a Police Brutality Lawsuit
If you are eligible for a police misconduct lawsuit against the LAPD, you can ask for payments in the form of economic and non-economic damages. Each claim is different, and the funds available for recovery must be determined on an individual basis. Having said that, we can still go over the categories of compensation that you may be entitled to:
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Medical expenses
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Lost wages, including loss of future earnings based on the degree of harm
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Value of damaged or lost property
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Pain and suffering
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Emotional distress
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Loss of enjoyment of life
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Punitive damages
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Costs associated with legal representation (attorney’s fees, for example)
A lawyer that specializes in police misconduct lawsuits can answer any questions you have about your case value and what you can receive from a successful claim.
Deadline to Sue the LAPD for Police Brutality
Because the LAPD is a government entity, all personal injury and wrongful death claims must be filed within 6 months of the incident or date of death. Based on whether your claim can be settled, you may have the option of suing the LAPD through the civil court system. Please note that you generally have 6 months to file a lawsuit, starting from when you receive the denial notice in response to your claim. However, you may have the option of filing a lawsuit at the federal level, which has a 2-year statute of limitations. Because of these and other complications, it’s in your best interest to consult an LAPD police brutality lawyer.
Contact Normandie Law Firm
It’s easy to feel powerless when you are victimized by someone who is given tremendous power and authority. Fighting back against police abuse takes courage and determination, along with expert knowledge of the legal system. Normandie Law Firm has a long and proud tradition of fighting back against corruption by government entities, including police and sheriff’s departments. We are not afraid to stand with victims and demand justice, thereby obtaining the highest possible settlement.
We believe in free legal representation for police brutality victims, which is why we operate under the Zero Fee Guarantee. We add the cost of legal services to the amount we demand from the LAPD, meaning that our payment is included in your settlement check. That means we make $0 until your compensation is recovered, and you owe us $0 if we do not win your case.
We look forward to representing your interest and joining you on the path to recovery. Please reach out to us and schedule a free consultation if you were injured or lost a family member due to negligence or misconduct by a Los Angeles police officer.
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