If a law enforcement officer used unreasonable physical force against you during an arrest, traffic stop, or any other encounter, you have the right to hold them accountable. Hughes Law Group has secured millions for clients who put their trust in the firm, including $275,000 and $97,500 settlements for police misconduct involving excessive force. No one should have to accept being brutalized by the people sworn to protect them.
Why Choose Hughes Law Group?
Attorney Joel Hughes has spent years handling civil rights cases and taking on powerful institutions on behalf of ordinary people. Joel is a firm believer in every citizen’s Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial, and he prepares every case as if it’s heading to the courtroom.
When the opposing side refuses to offer a fair settlement, Joel knows how to stand before a Richland County jury, present a compelling case, and give jurors the full picture they need to deliver a just verdict. That willingness to go to trial is something insurance companies and government attorneys take seriously from the very first conversation.
What Constitutes Excessive Force?
Excessive force occurs when an officer uses more physical force than the situation reasonably demands. The standard comes from the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable seizures, and what qualifies as excessive depends on the totality of the circumstances:
- Striking, kicking, or beating a person who is already restrained or compliant
- Deploying a taser on someone who poses no physical threat
- Using chokeholds or neck restraints during routine encounters
- Firing a weapon when no imminent danger to the officer or others exists
- Slamming a person to the ground during a minor traffic stop
- Releasing a police dog on a suspect who has surrendered
- Continuing to use force after a person is clearly subdued
Liability for Harm
You can file a federal civil rights lawsuit against any government official who violates your constitutional rights while acting under the authority of state or local law. Officers, supervisors, and even municipalities can face liability when excessive force causes injury, and these cases frequently proceed through the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina in Columbia. Excessive force claims also are often filed in state courts across South Carolina.
Compensation for Excessive Force
Victims of police brutality and excessive force may recover damages that reflect the full scope of harm inflicted during the encounter. Compensation that may be available in these cases covers both the immediate physical impact and the lasting effects on your daily life:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, anxiety, and psychological trauma
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Punitive damages are designed to punish particularly egregious misconduct
- Attorney fees and litigation costs
Speak to Our Excessive Force Attorney in Columbia Now
What happened to you matters, and the longer you wait to take action, the harder it becomes to gather the evidence and witness testimony your case needs. Contact Hughes Law Group at 803-704-1004 to schedule a free consultation with a Columbia excessive force attorney who will review the details of your encounter, identify every party responsible for the harm you suffered, and fight to secure the compensation you deserve for what you’ve been through.
