We hear the news stories and see the images splashed across the screen on a regular basis: individuals suffering abuse, harassment, and discrimination at the hands of police officers or other government actors. These types of police misconduct are among the most well-publicized civil rights violations. They are painful to hear about, and devastating to experience.
Every person in the United States, citizen or not, is guaranteed certain civil rights by the U.S. Constitution and laws of this country. Civil rights are those rights that allow us to participate in society without fear of repression or personal harm. They include the rights to freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, freedom of association and freedom of movement, among others.
Civil rights include the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of certain personal attributes. Your being charged with or arrested for a crime does not justify an officer’s violation of your civil rights. All Americans, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, or sexuality deserve to be treated humanely and with respect when they encounter law enforcement.
Our government is supposed to protect our civil rights. When the opposite happens and a government agent violates those rights, it can be especially damaging not only to the person whose rights are violated, but to their family and community. Fortunately, the law provides you with a way to seek redress and recover significant financial compensation for the wrong done to you. However, this area of the law is complicated, and it can be nearly impossible to prevail on a claim for civil rights violations without an attorney who has extensive experience in this area.
At The Ericksen Firm, lawsuits on behalf of people who have experienced civil rights violations are a substantial portion of our practice. We represent clients who have been deprived of their civil rights by governmental actors, including police, through acts such as:
If you or your loved one suffered civil rights violations at the hands of police, sheriffs’ deputies, or other government actors, you are probably more focused on justice and achieving change than on a financial recovery. Even so, our civil rights are important, and you may be entitled to damages for their violation. Damages in these cases may include compensatory damages such as lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and damage to reputation. In addition, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees may be available, sometimes multiplying the total recovery in a civil rights violations case.
If your civil rights were violated in the course of an arrest or during detention, you may assume that your criminal defense attorney, or an attorney you’ve worked with in the past, can adequately address any claims you have for violation of your civil rights. Unfortunately, these claims are often based on federal law, and most attorneys have little or no experience with these complex cases.
Attorney Matthew Ericksen is different. Early in his career he spent over five years representing municipalities and police officers, defending them against allegations of civil rights violations—the same types of cases in which he now represents plaintiffs. He understands not only the legal issues involved in these matters, he knows how the attorneys defending governmental actors think and strategize. When these types of defendants get sued they do not take it lightly—they “lawyer up” and hire the best defense attorneys available. If you do not hire an attorney who is similarly experienced in federal civil rights claims, it will be next to impossible to succeed in your case, regardless of the merits.
Matthew established The Ericksen Firm in order to be able to represent the people who suffer from violations of their civil rights by governmental actors and to make a difference for victims and their families. This is his true passion. He approaches each case with compassion and respect for his clients, as well as straightforward, pragmatic guidance. If Matthew decides to accept your civil rights case, you can be assured that he will aggressively fight for you.
Matthew’s background as a litigator in federal court makes him uniquely equipped to handle the complexities of civil rights violations claims. Individuals and families who have suffered from police brutality and civil rights violations have already been through unimaginable trauma. The Ericksen Firm is committed to helping them honor their loved ones and hold governmental systems and actors accountable for the harm they have caused. In order to ensure that all families have access to justice, the firm does not charge any legal fees unless and until there is a successful settlement or resolution of the case. Matthew has been recognized as an authority in the field of civil rights litigation and he has successfully recovered millions of dollars for his clients.
The Ericksen Firm serves clients throughout the United States who have experienced a violation of their civil rights. To learn more about your options, contact The Ericksen Firm today.
© 2024 The Ericksen Firm, LLC|Legal Disclaimer|Privacy Policy