Were you a victim of police brutality in Wyomissing, PA? Do you suspect that a law enforcement official violated your civil rights? An experienced Wyomissing civil rights/police brutality lawyer can help you seek justice. Contact Marzzaco Niven & Associate for immediate legal assistance.
Our lawyers have over 120 years of experience handling complex personal injury law matters. We’re here to protect injured clients when it matters most–and we’ve already used our skills to recover tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
Our law firm has the resources, experience, and passion to help you get justice. Contact our law offices in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, to schedule a free consultation today or call (717) 388-2325.
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How Can Marzzacco Niven & Associates Help if I Was a Victim of Civil Rights Violations or Police Brutality in Wyomissing?
Police brutality is a serious problem in the United States. If you were a victim, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed and traumatized. While you know your civil rights are protected under state and federal law, you might not know how to enforce the laws that are designed to keep you safe.
If you were harmed due to a police officer’s unjustified acts, our Wyomissing personal injury lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates are ready to fight for you.
Our lawyers have been recognized as Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers of America, and Rising Stars. Most importantly, we understand the laws that apply to civil rights matters. We know how to protect you.
When you hire our law firm to fight for you, you’ll have an attorney to:
- Investigate and collect evidence to prove your case
- Determine which state and federal laws apply
- Identify all parties and entities that can be held legally responsible for your damages
- Handle all of the paperwork, legal filings, and communications
- Assess the types of losses you have suffered
- File a lawsuit against the government entity responsible for the acts of brutality
- Fiercely advocate to protect you at every stage of the legal process
The thought of going up against a police department and their defense attorneys might seem impossible. Fortunately, our Wyomissing personal injury attorneys go up against powerful entities on a regular basis–and we’re known for our success. To learn more about your legal options, contact us for a free case evaluation today.
Civil Rights and Police Brutality Laws: An Overview
In cases involving police brutality, your civil rights are protected under both federal and Pennsylvania state law.
The primary federal civil rights law, 18 U.S. Code § 242, makes it a crime for government officers to deprive others of their constitutional rights. As a private citizen, 42 U.S. Code § 1983 gives you the right to take legal action to protect your civil rights.
To hold a police officer accountable under federal civil rights laws, you must prove:
- The officer was acting under the “color of law”
- The officer violated your civil rights, as protected under the U.S. Constitution or another law
A person acts under the color of law when they are exercising powers given to them by any governmental agency–including a state or local police department. Importantly, you don’t have to prove that the officer actually had the legal authority to commit the acts of brutality.
You may also have the right to file a lawsuit against the governmental authority that allowed the acts of brutality to occur. Under 34 U.S. Code § 12601, a lawsuit can be filed by the Department of Justice against a government agency where you can demonstrate that a “pattern or practice” of depriving people of their constitutional rights exists.
The remedy under 42 U.S. Code § 1983 is financial compensation. The remedy under 34 U.S. Code § 12601 is an injunction against the relevant government agency (typically, the police department). In other words, if the criminal case is successful, you could force the police department to change its policies and procedures to prevent further acts of police brutality.
It’s possible that you could have rights under multiple laws. Our Wyomissing civil rights/police brutality attorneys will review your case and evaluate the best course of action. We’ll do everything in our power to help you get justice, so give us a call today.
Our Lawyers in Wyomissing Handle All Types of Police Brutality Claims
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, we know that civil rights violations can happen in many different situations.
We handle all types of police brutality claims, including those involving:
- Assault
- Racial bias
- False arrests
- Unlawful detention
- Illegal searches and seizures
- Sexual assault
- Civil rights violations based on your membership in a protected class
- Harassment
- Verbal abuse
- Unjustified shooting
- Fabrication of evidence
- Planting evidence
Police brutality claims are often based on the use of excessive force. While law enforcement officers are permitted to use force when called for, they’re only allowed to use the amount of force that is called for, given the circumstances.
How Much Compensation Can I Recover if My Police Brutality Claim Is Successful?
The amount of compensation you can recover will depend on the specific facts of your case.
First, your case value will depend on whether you have rights under Section 1983 or Pennsylvania state personal injury laws. These are the primary laws that allow victims of police brutality to recover financial compensation.
Once we have established your right to compensation, our lawyers will evaluate all factors that are relevant when assessing your case value, including:
- The nature of the harm you have suffered
- The nature of the law enforcement official’s actions
- Whether you will suffer any type of long-term physical disability or injury
- How the police violence impacted your ability to work and earn a living
- Your physical pain and emotional suffering
- How the violent acts impacted your quality of life and mental health
- The strength of the evidence in your case
If you settle your claim without legal assistance, you always risk settling for less than you deserve. The police department has teams of defense attorneys to protect them from allegations of unjustified violence.
Fortunately, our lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates have decades of experience helping victims of violence recover fair compensation for their losses. Contact us today to schedule a free case review to learn more about your legal rights and options.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover by Filing a Police Brutality Lawsuit in Wyomissing, PA?
Victims of police brutality can seek two types of compensatory damages: economic damages and non-economic damages. If your case succeeds, your compensatory damages should make you “whole” again to the extent possible.
Examples of the types of compensation you may be entitled to receive include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost wages while you recover from injuries
- Reduced earning potential and permanent disability
- Rehabilitation
- Counseling
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD and fear
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
The types of damages you can seek will depend on the nature of the harm you have suffered. Our lawyers will carefully review your case and document the losses you have experienced due to the acts of police violence.
Police Brutality and Violence Can Cause Painful, Life-Altering Injuries
A violent attack can leave you struggling with multiple physical injuries.
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our lawyers in Wyomissing often handle personal injury cases where victims have suffered:
- Broken bones
- Nerve injuries
- Facial and eye injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Organ damage
- Chest injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Many victims of police brutality suffer from mental health issues in the aftermath. These types of emotional damage can take a toll on your quality of life and your ability to enjoy life.
Don’t underestimate the severity and impact of your injuries. If you were injured, contact our civil rights violation lawyers today. We’ll do everything we can to help you recover fair compensation to help you get back on your feet again.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Lawsuit Based on Civil Rights Violations in Pennsylvania?
Under Pennsylvania statute law, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit if you were injured by a police officer.
The statute of limitations for federal civil rights violation claims is based on the state-level statute of limitations. That means you also have two years to file a claim for civil rights violations under 42 U.S. Code 1983.
One thing is clear: if you fail to take action before the deadline passes, you’ll miss out on your right to seek justice.
Schedule a Free Case Review With a Wyomissing Civil Rights/Police Brutality Lawyer Today
If a police officer in Wyomissing violated your civil rights, you may have legal options. An experienced Wyomissing civil rights/police brutality lawyer can help you hold the officer and the police department accountable. Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates today to arrange a free consultation. We’ll do everything we can to help you fight for justice.