Have you been the victim of police misconduct in Seattle, Washington? You could be entitled to compensation for your damages. However, getting the justice you deserve likely won’t be easy. After all, taking on a government agency can seem overwhelming and intimidating, especially if you don’t have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side.
The team at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer has more than 30 years of experience protecting the rights of accident and injury victims. We have recovered more than $1 billion for our clients, and we have the resources and experience to help you too. Contact us today or call at (253) 777-0798 to schedule a free consultation with a Seattle police misconduct lawyer.
How Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After Police Misconduct in Seattle, WA
Victims of police misconduct in Seattle, WA, may feel like they have nowhere to turn. Standing up to the police force after an incident involving misconduct may seem impossible. Not only does the process seem intimidating, but they have teams of lawyers ready to defend them.
If you have been wronged by police misconduct, let the team at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer help you get the justice you deserve. Clients in Seattle trust us after car accidents, medical malpractice, police misconduct, and more.
Let us help you by:
- Investigating the misconduct completely and thoroughly
- Filing all necessary paperwork to protect your right to sue
- Gathering crucial evidence, such as body cam footage, surveillance video, and witness testimony
- Assessing an accurate value for your damages
- Negotiating a full and fair settlement that compensates you for all your damages
- Filing a lawsuit and representing you at trial when negotiations stall
After an incident involving police misconduct, timing is crucial. Contact Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer right away to ensure you do not lose your chance to obtain compensation. Call us today to schedule your free consultation with a Seattle police misconduct attorney.
How Common is Police Misconduct?
Police officers are expected to enforce and uphold the law, so it may be surprising to learn that police misconduct happens quite frequently. The Office of Police Accountability (OPA) in Seattle receives an average of 1,300 complaints of police misconduct each year. This equates to more than 20 instances of misconduct across the city each and every week. Although the OPA investigates these claims, you should talk to an experienced lawyer who will fight to protect your rights and get you the compensation you are owed.
What Is Police Misconduct?
Police misconduct is a broad term, and it can occur whenever a law enforcement officer abuses their authority or violates a person’s civil rights. Individuals may recover civil damages in cases involving police misconduct.
Some examples of potential law enforcement misconduct include:
- Excessive use of force
- False arrests with no probable cause
- Wrongful shootings
- Disregarding medical conditions
- Physical assault
- Sexual misconduct
- Retaliation for exercising your right of free speech
- Fourth Amendment violations through illegal search and seizure
If you believe you’ve been a victim of police misconduct, you may have legal options to hold the responsible parties accountable and seek compensation for your harm.
What Kinds of Damages are Available to Police Misconduct Victims?
Victims who are subjected to this type of behavior may be able to recover many types of damages. These include economic damages, non-economic damages, and even punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate victims for their financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Cost of future medical care needs
- Property damage, such as damage to your vehicle during an illegal search
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
Proving the value of these damages is usually quite easy, but proving the value of your non-economic damages can be much more challenging.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate victims for their intangible losses, such as physical and psychological trauma.
Some common examples are:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Damage to reputation
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
Although non-economic damages can be harder to quantify, they play a crucial role in fully compensating victims for the lasting impact of their injuries.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After Police Misconduct?
Suing the police after an incident of misconduct is not easy. Generally, victims have three years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit for damages. However, when suing a city or state entity in Washington, the victim must generally file a Notice of Claim with that entity within 90 days of the incident.
Missing any of the deadlines during the process can cause you to lose all your right to recover compensation. Since these rules can get very complex, you should always get help from an experienced police misconduct lawyer.
The team at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer can help ensure that you meet all the deadlines and follow all the rules for your claim. We can protect your right to get compensation and will fight diligently to get you all the compensation you are owed.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Seattle Police Misconduct Lawyers
If you have been wronged by police misconduct in Seattle, Washington, contact the experienced team at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer today. These cases are often tough to pursue, and you need a strong advocate in your corner who is not afraid to take on these powerful defendants.
We have the resources and experience necessary to handle these complex cases, and we are not afraid to do what it takes to get winning results. Call us now to schedule a free consultation with a Seattle police misconduct lawyer and let us go to work for you.