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Philadelphia Police Brutality Lawyer

Excessive Force Injury Attorney in Philadelphia, PA Fighting Police Misconduct Claims Throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania

When those you trusted to protect and serve your community instead use excessive force, severely injuring or killing people in the process, you have legal recourse.

Attorneys like van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin aren’t intimidated by a badge. We know how devastating the use of excessive force can be and how important it is to hold police officers to high standards.

We’re here to fight for your legal rights and expose police misconduct. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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What Is Police Brutality?

Policing is a potentially dangerous job, which is why officers carry firearms. At times, it may be appropriate or even necessary for police officers to use lethal force on the job. However, officers can’t just go around killing people, including potential suspects.

The police should only use extreme force as a last resort in instances in which:

Someone (the officer themselves, others on the scene, or the public) is in imminent danger, and
It isn’t possible to safely resolve the situation using less extreme force.

When police respond to an incident or potential incident with the use of unwarranted, excessive force, it’s what is recognized as police brutality.

Find Out What Your Case is Worth

We invite you to reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. Call (215) 610-3440 or contact us online to learn more.

Police Brutality as a Form of Professional Misconduct

The unnecessary use of excessive force is a form of police misconduct that goes against department policies and, in many cases, is illegal.

Not all police misconduct involves the use of excessive force, but all instances of excessive force may be considered police misconduct. Police brutality may accompany other forms of police misconduct, such as racial profiling, illegal search and seizure, or arrest without probable cause.

Unwarranted Force

The critical element of police brutality is the use of unnecessary or inappropriate force.

Too often, we hear of excessive force being used against suspects who are:

Already subdued
Known to be unarmed
Already cooperating
Not exhibiting violence or aggression
Begging for mercy

Using excessive force against a suspect who does not pose an imminent threat to anyone’s safety is unwarranted and could constitute police brutality.

Causes of Police Excessive Force

Police brutality is a serious problem in Philadelphia, across America, and worldwide.

The Law Enforcement Epidemiology Project from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health found that, from 2001 through 2021, 75,000 American civilians suffered non-fatal injuries and between 600 and 1,000 lost their lives annually due to police use of force.

In Philadelphia and elsewhere in America, there is often a component of racism or racial discrimination in instances of police brutality. Other instances of police violence around the world have included the killings of poor suspects who were already subdued and nonviolent protesters, as Amnesty International reported.

When such instances of excessive force are routinely swept under the rug rather than investigated and their perpetrators held responsible, police officers may grow to expect to face no consequences for their actions. This can give rise to even more episodes of police brutality.

Police Brutality in Philadelphia, PA

Police violence is such a longstanding problem in Philadelphia that the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper published a series of articles and editorials on the subject back in 1977, according to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs.

In Philadelphia alone, police killed 39 people between 2013 and 2020, of which two-thirds were Black, Drexel University’s Urban Health Collaborative reported.

Injuries Arising Out of Police Brutality

The consequences of police violence are considerable. Incidents involving excessive force can quickly spiral out of control. Individuals can become seriously hurt or lose their lives to police violence, which is why Amnesty International considers police brutality a human rights issue.

The most high-profile instances of police brutality often include gunshot wounds and strangulation (chokehold) injuries.

According to the Law Enforcement Epidemiology Project, some of the most common types of injuries that civilians suffer in interactions with law enforcement include:

Traumatic brain injury
Fractures and broken bones
Dislocation of joint bones
Internal damage, such as internal bleeding or injuries to the internal organs
Open wounds
Bruises and contusions
Strains and sprains

Injuries caused by police excessive force may be life-threatening or, for survivors, life-altering. That’s exactly why you shouldn’t just allow the violent police officer to get away with what they’ve done. You may feel helpless, but with an experienced Philadelphia police brutality lawyer, you can take a stand and recover financial compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.

Damages in Police Brutality Claims

Becoming the victim of police violence affects you in so many ways. For many of these losses, including the following, a victim of police brutality may seek compensation:

Medical costs to diagnose and treat your injuries and mental health consequences
Future medical costs necessitated by your injuries, including long-term care and ongoing monitoring
Loss of income due to the injuries themselves, your journey toward recovery, and false imprisonment
Decline in earning potential due to disability from your injuries or a criminal record that resulted from unlawful imprisonment
Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional, that result from the trauma of police violence
Decreases in your quality of life due to ongoing disabilities that prevent you from doing things you enjoy or physical disfigurements associated with your injuries

The damages in a Philadelphia police brutality claim can amount to a significant settlement or jury award. For example, the settlement the City of Philadelphia reached in March 2023 over the high-profile episodes of excessive force that occurred during the 2020 George Floyd protests amounted to $9.25 million, according to CNN.

Police Wrongful Death Claims

What about the hundreds of civilians in the U.S. who lose their lives to police violence each year? Their assailants, too, should be held responsible, and their families deserve financial compensation as well as justice.

A Philadelphia police brutality lawyer at van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin can help grieving families explore their legal options, get answers, and pursue financial compensation for the hardships resulting from this loss.

Contact a Philadelphia Police Brutality Lawyer Today at van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin for a Free, Confidential Case Review

With an experienced Philadelphia police brutality attorney on your side, you can hold violent officers accountable for the damage they cause using excessive force on civilians. We’re here to guide you through the legal process and pursue the compensation your family deserves.

For help from a police excessive force attorney in Philadelphia, PA, contact van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin online or call (215) 610-3440 today.

The Person Who Sees The Whole Picture Meet Michael T. van der Veen

From local business owners, to the President of the United States, we fight for everyone's best interest. As founder of the firm, Michael T. van der Veen effortlessly combines accessibility, experience, negotiation, collaboration, and compassion to achieve results. He is the rare trial attorney who excels in both civil litigation and criminal defense. Known for his unwavering commitment to serving as the voice of the victim and advocate for the accused, he has established his reputation by winning multimillion-dollar jury verdicts in State and Federal Courts, as well as winning major criminal trials across the country.

Police Brutality Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 215-610-3440 today!

When does the use of force on the part of the police become excessive? Examples of police brutality include:
- Beatings
- Shootings
- Unlawful killings
- Torture
- Sexual assault
- Unnecessary, indiscriminate use of riot control methods
- Abuse or misuse of tasers
Some of these examples, like torture and sexual assault, are unlawful regardless of the situation. Others, like the use of tasers, firearms, and physical means of subduing threats, may be reasonable and justified only in certain situations.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. A police excessive force attorney in Philadelphia, PA, can listen to your story and help you determine if you have a claim.
Violent police officers may face both civil and criminal consequences for their use of excessive force. Depending on the circumstances, you may have the grounds to sue for police brutality. The success of your lawsuit does not depend on the outcome of any criminal investigations or charges.

When suing violent police officers and the departments in which they serve, police misconduct attorneys must present evidence that the use of force was excessive and unwarranted. To do so, a Philadelphia police brutality lawyer will rely on evidence like witnesses’ statements and cell phone videos, dashboard camera footage, photographs of the incident and your injuries, the officer’s prior record, and your medical records.
If you have any reason to think the officer’s use of force was excessive or unreasonable, it makes sense to speak to an attorney who can help you understand what does and does not constitute lawful use of force. Our police excessive force attorneys in Philadelphia, PA, offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose.

The sooner you reach out to an attorney for police brutality claims, the better. Not only may strict deadlines apply in claims against police departments, but the evidence that supports your claim, like dashboard cam footage from the officer’s vehicle, must be preserved before it disappears.

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