Police brutality in New York is a specific form of a civil rights violation. It occurs when a victim suffers injuries directly due to the actions of an NYC policeman. The statute of limitations for a lawsuit in NYC is one year and ninety days. In addition, the victim must file a Notice of Claim with the City Comptroller’s Office within ninety days after the incident. Further, the failure to file that Notice will result in a dismissal of a brutality lawsuit even if it is filed before the statute of limitations expires.
The Manhattan-based police brutality attorneys at Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb, Green & Bagley, P.C. urge every person to contact a New York City civil rights lawyer as soon as is possible after the incident– to verify that these short deadlines are not missed, and the right to collect damages is not lost.
Police brutality is a pernicious civil rights violation
Law enforcement authorities and other government officials might violate your civil rights in any number of ways, including:
- Blocking or preventing your right to vote
- Enforcing the forfeiture of your property apart from criminal charges or probable cause
- Denying your right to speak with an attorney
- Withholding your rights to a fair trial or due process
- Discrimination against you due to your race, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or identity.
Police brutality is a more direct and immediate violation of a victim’s civil rights. It is perpetrated by the officials who are charged with protecting those rights. It can include any improper or excessive treatment at the hands of the police. This can include physical or verbal abuse, unwarranted or prolonged detention without probable cause, and unjustified use of a gun or taser. You need to act quickly because of the short one-year and 90 day statute of limitations and the notice requirement for police brutality complaints.
Delaying a police brutality lawsuit can make evidence more difficult to collect
Your opportunity to collect substantial damages when you sue the NYPD will depend on the evidence that shows how the police acted and whether or not their actions were justified. That evidence might include:
- Police body camera footage
- Video from commercial surveillance systems
- Eyewitness testimony
- Reports of prior improper conduct by the police officers involved in the incident
- Medical records of injuries that you suffered
Much of this evidence can dissipate or be challenging to gather. In addition, witness memories can fade if you wait until the end of the statute of limitations to file your NYPD police brutality lawsuit. If you suffer serious injuries due to police brutality, seek prompt medical treatment. Contact a knowledgeable and experienced NYPD police brutality attorney to begin an investigation as soon as possible.
Act quickly to recover the compensation you deserve for NYPD police brutality injuries
If you prove that you suffered injuries due to excessive force or improper conduct by the NYPD, you may have a right to recover damages for your medical costs and expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and mental anguish. If the police conduct was intentional or the result of gross recklessness, you might also recover punitive damages that would be awarded to deter future egregious police misconduct.
Call Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb, Green & Bagley, P.C. for a free consultation
Our team of NYPD police brutality lawyers understands the urgency that the short statute of limitations imposes on a potential lawsuit. Please call our Manhattan offices to discuss the facts of your case with an attorney on our civil rights legal team as soon as possible. We will evaluate your case, and if you retain us and we agree to represent you, we will fight to recover the largest damages award that may be available to compensate you for your injuries and all violations of your rights.
