Excessive Force Lawsuit Attorneys in Goldsboro

Standing Up for Civil Rights Across North Carolina

When law enforcement officers use more force than necessary, the results can be violent and devastating, leading to injuries and long-lasting emotional trauma. Victims of excessive force often feel voiceless in the face of “the system’s” power, but taking legal action can be a powerful step toward justice, accountability, and the restoration of civil rights.

At Pittman Agner, we are proud to fight for the civil rights of people across North Carolina, including in cases where excessive force by a law enforcement officer left someone with serious injuries. Using our backgrounds as personal injury attorneys and criminal defense lawyers, we are ready to stand by your side and lead the way in your case, offering empathetic support and experienced legal counsel. We know how to hold law enforcement agencies and individual officers accountable for the destruction of your rights by demanding justice and compensation through a well-crafted claim or lawsuit.

Talk to us today about your options. Our Goldsboro excessive force lawyers are standing by. Call (919) 893-0090 to get a no-cost case review.

What is Excessive Force?

Excessive force occurs when law enforcement officers go beyond the amount of force reasonably required to manage a situation or put a criminal suspect into restraints or custody. Police officers are obligated to use an appropriate level of force based on the circumstances they face by utilizing specialized training for their profession. When that line is crossed, civil rights are threatened, legal protections are violated, and sometimes, life-changing injuries are inflicted.

Examples of excessive force that could justify a lawsuit include:

• Unnecessary physical violence: Actions such as punching, kicking, or striking people who are already restrained or compliant.
• Improper use of Tasers: Deploying a Taser or stun gun on people who do not pose an immediate threat or using it excessively.
• Unjustified shootings: Discharging a service weapon at people who are unarmed or not presenting an imminent danger.
• Use of chokeholds: Employing restraints that cut off airways or circulation, often resulting in serious injury or death.
• Excessive use of restraints: Tight handcuffs or prolonged restraint positions that cause injury or long-term soft tissue damage.

You’re Protected Against Excessive Force

You are protected by federal law against excessive force and other forms of police brutality. Your citizenship status does not matter in this case. If you are in the United States, law enforcement officials are not permitted to use excessive force against you, and you have the right to use legal action as an answer if you are harmed by excessive force.

Important legal protections against excessive force include:

• Fourth Amendment: Protects you from unlawful searches, seizures, and the improper use of force by law enforcement.
• Fourteenth Amendment: Promises due process and provides equal protection under the law, safeguarding you from discriminatory or excessive actions by state authorities.
• North Carolina law: North Carolina and other states enforce laws that prohibit abusive practices by law enforcement officers.

Courts evaluate excessive force cases by examining the specific context, including factors such as the level of threat posed by a criminal suspect, the degree of resistance involved, and the immediacy of the officers’ need to act. If law enforcement’s actions exceed reasonable standards, they can be held legally accountable.

For example, if a criminal suspect had a rock in his hand and was surrounded by several police officers, the decision to use lethal force against the suspect could be seen as unjustified and unlawful. Even though the criminal suspect in this situation was technically armed, with so many law enforcement officers on the scene, non-lethal force should have been attempted first.

What Compensation Can You Seek in an Excessive Force Case?

If you or a loved one were harmed by excessive force, you may seek compensation for the harm you have endured, the financial costs it has brought, and the way it has changed your life, possibly forever. A successful recovery can help you regain financial stability and might also be an important part of feeling like a sense of justice and closure were achieved. Our attorneys understand as much, so we fight for every penny that we can for our clients.

Potential damages in an excessive force claim include:

• Medical expenses: Covering costs for emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, psychological therapy, medication, and long-term treatment for injuries suffered during the incident.
• Lost wages: Compensation for income lost due to medical recovery, trauma, or the inability to work following the incident.
• Emotional distress: Damages for the psychological and emotional impact of being physically injured or civilly oppressed by the police, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by the experience.
• Punitive damages: Financial penalties imposed to punish the responsible law enforcement agency or municipality to deter similar behavior in the future.

Let Us Help with Every Part of Your Case

Our Goldsboro excessive force lawyers can help with every step of your claim, including the following and more:

• Initial consultation: We start by understanding every detail of what happened to determine if legal action is justified and what to do next if it is.
• Investigation: We can gather important evidence, such as body camera footage, police reports, medical documentation, and eyewitness statements.
• Filing legal claims: Let us draft and submit your claim before any statutes of limitations expire; in cases against a law enforcement entity, the time limit to start a claim can be very brief.
• Case representation: Our attorneys can represent you in settlement negotiation attempts or arbitration, depending on the options available. If your case proceeds to trial, we can also represent you in court.

Survivors of excessive police force deserve a voice and the opportunity to seek justice. At Pittman Agner, we are here to help you amplify your voice through reliable legal representation. If you or a loved one has been harmed by excessive force, we encourage you to reach out to us today for a free, confidential case review.

Call (919) 893-0090 at any time to speak with our law firm about an excessive force case in Goldsboro or anywhere else in North Carolina.