Our California Civil Rights Lawyers Practice in the Following Areas

At Haddad & Sherwin LLP, our dedicated team of civil rights attorneys have years of experience representing people fighting for justice in cases where their rights were violated. Few law firms have more success winning California wrongful death cases caused by police, jails, or civil rights violations.

Civil Rights

A civil rights claim generally arises when the government or its officials violate an individual’s Constitutional or statutory rights. These rights include the rights to be free from wrongful seizure and the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers. Learn more about working with civil rights attorneys and what constitutes a civil rights claim here.

Wrongful Death

Our firm specializes in helping clients navigate the complex legal steps related to wrongful death claims that are critical to preserving their rights when a loved one dies. Did you know that only certain categories of relatives are permitted to bring a wrongful death case and there are strict time limits placed on filing of claims? The attorneys at Haddad & Sherwin LLP are experts at handling wrongful death cases resulting from police and jail misconduct. Learn more about filing a suit with wrongful death attorneys here.

Police Shootings

Police shootings are an epidemic that has impacted everyone, particularly minorities and individuals who suffer from mental illness. Our goal is to help families obtain justice and compensation for loved ones lost to police shootings. We’ve been doing that for decades. But we don’t stop there — Our firm is dedicated to aggressively seeking reforms to police department policies and training practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future. If you or a loved one have experienced an unjust police shooting, our team of experienced lawyers  may be able to help you. Learn more about what we can do here.

Restraint Asphyxia

There have been a number of high profile incidents recently, notably the death George Floyd in Minneapolis, related to restraint asphyxia. It occurs when police restrain a person face down on the ground and apply weight on their back, neck or limbs. These improper restraints can impair the person’s ability to breathe and can cause death by asphyxia. Police and coroner’s reports often contain mistakes related to the victim’s cause of death, including sometimes saying the death was caused by “excited delirium.” Our attorneys unravel extensive medical evidence and apply their legal expertise in law enforcement and wrongful death cases to debunk junk science claims like “excited delirium” and ensure our clients prevail in court. Learn more about our work in restraint asphyxia here.

Jail Death or Jail Suicide

People who are incarcerated lose the ability to provide for their own safety or for their own medical and psychiatric care – that becomes the responsibility of the jail. When a person is incarcerated, decisions about their physical and mental health are made by county jail officials or by for-profit jail medical care companies. That means inmates are often denied critical medical or psychiatric services and even simple protection from harm or violence in jail. As a result of what’s referred to as “deliberate indifference,” inmates suffer and even die from untreated medical conditions, suicide, or are victims of violence at the hands of other inmates or jail staff. Our firm holds those in charge of our jails and prisons accountable for meeting their constitutional duty to provide for inmates’ medical needs and ensure safe jail conditions. Learn about our work in cases of jail death here.

Police Misconduct, Brutality, and Excessive Force

When law enforcement officers overstep their legal authority by taking illegal or inappropriate actions that involve violations of state or federal law, civil rights, and police department rules and standards, they engage in police misconduct. Police brutality and excessive force are types of misconduct where officers abuse their lawful authority in the use of physical force or weapons resulting in injuries and civil rights violations. Our attorneys have great respect for police who professionally serve their communities. However, it’s our mission to represent victims injured by law enforcement officers who abuse their power and injure others unlawfully. Learn about hiring an excessive force attorney here.

Catastrophic Injury

When a person suffers a catastrophic injury, their ultimate goal is to recover their health and get back to a more normal life. But when a person has catastrophic injuries, especially those suffered because of police brutality or jail misconduct, such injuries can have long-lasting effects on the victim and their family. Catastrophic injuries can result in permanent disabilities and psychological issues that impact a person’s ability to earn a living, pay the high costs of associated medical care, and enjoy life. At Haddad & Sherwin LLP, we understand that proper compensation from a catastrophic injury case is crucial to ensuring your quality of life now and in the future. Learn more here.

Take the Next Step with Civil Rights Lawyers in California

If you have been wronged in the state of California in one of the above areas, we encourage you to take immediate action for representation. Contact the civil rights lawyers at Haddad & Sherwin LLP for representation today.