Excessive Force Attorneys

If you’ve experienced police brutality in Philadelphia, you need to know that this serious issue affects individuals and communities throughout our area and beyond. Police brutality happens when officers use excessive force against you, make improper or illegal arrests, or unlawfully detain you, violating your civil rights and the constitutional protections you deserve.

When you’re a victim of police brutality, you may face not just physical harm but also emotional trauma and a complete loss of trust in law enforcement – and that’s not something you should have to deal with alone. Our dedicated Philadelphia police brutality lawyers and attorneys are here to hold officers and police departments accountable for these violations because you deserve justice.

You have the right to pursue police brutality claims under both state and federal law, including actions under Title 42, Section 1983 of the U.S. Code, and we know how to navigate these complex legal waters for you. Common claims we handle include excessive force, false arrest, and unlawful imprisonment – all serious infringements on your civil rights that demand experienced legal representation.

If you or someone you love has suffered from police brutality, it’s important to understand that you have legal options and advocates who are ready to fight for your rights and get you the justice you deserve.

Civil Rights and Law Enforcement

If you’re dealing with police misconduct, you need to understand that the relationship between your civil rights and law enforcement is fundamental to getting justice in our society. When police officers overstep their authority and violate your constitutional rights, it can leave lasting damage that goes far beyond the immediate incident.

Law enforcement officers have the responsibility to protect you and your community, but they must always respect your individual rights while doing so. Whether you’ve experienced excessive force, been wrongfully arrested, or suffered other forms of police abuse, you shouldn’t have to face this alone. Philadelphia police brutality attorneys know exactly what you’re going through and are committed to making sure these officers are held accountable for their actions.

By filing police brutality lawsuits in both state and federal courts, these legal professionals fight to get you the justice and compensation you deserve for what you’ve endured, while also working to prevent future abuses from happening to others.

When police officers uphold your civil rights, it’s not just about following legal obligations—it’s essential for maintaining the trust between you and your community and ensuring the rule of law actually works for everyone.

Philadelphia Lawyers for Police Excessive Use of Force

While some circumstances may justify an officer’s use of a baton, mace, firearm or Taser, police are only permitted to use force when there is an imminent threat to their safety or the safety of others. Lethal force, such as the use of firearms, should only be used as a last resort in dangerous situations.

At Abramson & Denenberg, P.C., we have won many cases against police officers and police departments in Pennsylvania. If you or your loved one, as a suspect or otherwise, has been subjected to excessive force, including force used without proper standards or justification, we will fight to hold the police accountable and recover maximum compensation for you. Excessive force can result in severe injury or even death.

Injuries and Damages

If you’ve been a victim of police brutality, you’re likely dealing with a wide range of injuries and damages that go far beyond what anyone should have to endure. Your physical injuries might include anything from broken bones and gunshot wounds to severe trauma like brain or spinal cord injuries that can change your life forever.

In the most heartbreaking situations, police brutality can even result in death. But here’s what you need to know – the damage doesn’t stop with the immediate physical harm you’ve suffered. You’re probably facing mounting medical bills that seem to grow every day, lost wages because you can’t work while you’re recovering, and ongoing emotional distress that affects every aspect of your daily life.

That’s where Philadelphia police brutality attorneys come in – they work around the clock to make sure you get every penny of compensation you deserve for all your injuries and losses. This means they’ll dig into your medical records, document every single injury you’ve sustained, and build a rock-solid case that supports your claims for damages.

If you or someone you love has suffered because of police brutality, you have every right to seek compensation for your pain, suffering, and all the financial losses you’ve had to deal with – and experienced attorneys are standing by to help you fight for what you deserve.

An Experienced Trial Lawyer on Your Side

Our law firm has protected the rights of people in the Philadelphia area since 1961. Alan Denenberg, an experienced trial attorney who stands up for victims in state and federal courts, leads our police brutality practice.

Alan Denenberg has an insider’s knowledge of how cities and police departments defend police misconduct claims, as he used to work as a city solicitor. His ability to anticipate a city or police department’s defense results in an upper hand for our clients. We also pursue Monell claims against municipalities for inadequate training, hiring, or supervision that leads to police misconduct or excessive force.

When a police officer shoots someone, police departments often accuse the victim of putting the officer’s life on the line. However, police are trained to follow a use of force continuum — they should not use a Taser or deadly force simply because they feel threatened.

Most continuums direct that police officers exhaust all reasonable means before resorting to using their Tasers and firearms.

This means officers do not usually have to put their lives on the line — they have other options. We represent clients who are victims of malicious prosecution and other misconduct by violent police officers, ensuring that those responsible for abuse of power and excessive force are held accountable. They can use other strategies to de-escalate situations, call for backup or use other less forceful methods than are often used.

When A Firearm Is Involved

While there are many good police officers in the Philadelphia area, there are more than a handful of bad ones who overreact to challenges and in turn violate citizens’ civil rights.

Today, many people in the Philadelphia area are licensed to carry a firearm. If you have a licensed firearm on you when approached by a police officer, keep your hands in plain view — on the steering wheel if you are in a vehicle — and tell the officer that you have a permit. Do not reach to hand over the firearm unless and until an officer requests it.

Remember, for certain arrests, police are required to have a valid warrant supported by probable cause; a warrantless arrest may be unlawful.

When a police officer uses excessive force, it not only has the potential to result in severe physical injury or death, but also breaks down the public’s trust in law enforcement. Police brutality lawsuits can lead to compensation for victims and their families, and help hold police departments accountable for protecting and serving the public justly.

Our firm represents not only victims but also any family member affected by police brutality. Legal claims for police misconduct can be filed in state or federal court, including under Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act. We also defend clients against wrongful criminal charges that may arise from police misconduct, fighting to challenge false allegations and seek justice for those wrongly accused.

Filing a Excessive Force Claim

Taking legal action against police officers or departments for police brutality can be a complex and daunting process — but if you’ve been a victim of excessive force or police misconduct in the City of Brotherly Love, it’s a crucial step toward getting the justice and accountability you deserve. Philadelphia police brutality lawyers and attorneys are equipped to guide you through every stage of the legal process, from investigating what really happened during your incident (including reviewing body cam footage, witness statements, and medical records) to negotiating with the responsible parties and representing you in court when push comes to shove.

You should seek a free consultation with an experienced Philadelphia police brutality attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case and explore all your legal options — because the clock is ticking on statutes of limitations, and evidence can disappear quickly.

The process typically involves a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding your encounter with law enforcement, collection of supporting evidence like hospital records showing your injuries, surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and witness testimony, plus preparation for potential court proceedings that could result in compensation ranging from thousands to millions of dollars depending on the severity of your case.

By working with a skilled legal team who knows how Philadelphia courts handle police misconduct cases, you can pursue justice, seek compensation for your physical injuries, emotional trauma, lost wages, and medical expenses, and help ensure that police misconduct is addressed and prevented so other citizens don’t have to go through what you experienced.

Seek Justice. Contact An Excessive Use of Force Lawyer Today.

We offer a free case evaluation to victims of police violence and their loved ones. And, if you hire us to represent you against the police, there are no upfront fees. We represent victims of police brutality on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we make a recovery for you.