Chicago Wrongful Death Attorney

Police Misconduct and Wrongful Death Claims

Have you lost a loved one in an act of police brutality or negligence? A Chicago civil rights attorney from Foutris Law Office, Ltd. is available to speak with you about the situation to determine whether you have grounds for a lawsuit. The firm has more than a decade of experience representing the victims of police misconduct, and has helped over 95% of clients obtain a successful outcome. Section 1983 of the United States Code makes it possible for you to hold the police officer liable for damages if the death involved a civil rights violation, and your family may be entitled to recover a settlement. No amount of money will ever replace your tragic loss, but by filing a civil lawsuit you could receive financial compensation, as well as being able to hold the police officer accountable with punitive damages.

Police officers are armed with deadly weapons, trained to exercise lethal force and given the authority to kill, but only when they have exhausted all other options for handling the situation. Innocent, unarmed suspects frequently lose their lives when the officer overreacts in a high-pressure situation, firing the gun negligently or without provocation. Many of the deaths caused by police are the result of excessive force in apprehending or subduing a suspect who was resisting or attempting to flee, such as in cases of taser abuse or inappropriate use of choke-holds.

Wrongful Death Lawyer in Chicago

While a large percentage of deaths cause by police are the result of accidental misuse of force, there are many cases where the officer was acting maliciously, either with the intent to kill or to inflict injury. Abuse of police authority and power is inexcusable, and if your family has lost a loved one due to a police officer's wanton cruelty and disregard for human life, you should not hesitate to pursue your rights to compensation. You may additionally have a claim against any other officers who were present but whose failure to intervene allowed the death of your family member, as well as against superiors who were aware of the officer's history of violent behavior but did nothing to prevent such a tragedy.

Contact a Chicago wrongful death attorney to for a consultation about your rights and to determine whether you have grounds to file a lawsuit.