What to Do If You Were Injured In Police Custody?
From the moment an officer of the law takes you into their custody, they are responsible for your health and well-being. If you sustain an injury in their care, the police can be held criminally and civilly liable. This is true even if the injury you sustain in their care stems from an accident. Here are some of the ways that an accident lawyer can advocate for you if you're injured in police custody.
Disclosure and Documentation
Gathering the evidence you need to file a case in court requires substantial evidence. An accident lawyer will begin this process by thoroughly documenting your injuries and building a narrative account of the event in question. They can also file paperwork in court to compel the law enforcement agency in question to release pertinent documents related to your case.
Documentation: the basic facts of your case will boil down to a he-said-she-said type of situation. Law enforcement will have a narrative about the event that probably differs from the facts, as you remember them. Your accident lawyer will attempt to prove that your version of the events in question are backed up by facts they can prove. For instance, your medical records and bills can attest to the extent and severity of the injuries you sustained. Also, eye-witness accounts, pictures, videos, and social media posts related to your case can put pressure on law enforcement to take your claims seriously.
Disclosure: an accident lawyer can file a petition with the courts to demand access to files related to your case. This can include any internal memos related to your case, police reports, and other communications. If your accident lawyer is able to leverage information disclosed by the police against them, you can push them to make a strong settlement without wasting time in court.
Putting the Authorities on Notice
Law enforcement agencies are ultimately funded by municipal, state, or federal governments. When a police officer injures you while you're in their custody, the government that funds them is equally responsible for their mistake.
Litigating: an accident lawyer will aggressively litigate your case. This means filing lawsuits against law enforcement officers, law enforcement agencies, and the governments that bankroll them. The more litigation they can file on your behalf, the more likely you'll be able to command a large settlement. If your accident lawyer can prove that you were not only injured but that authorities attempted to cover up the incident, you may receive multiple settlement offers.
Reach out to an accident lawyer to see if you have a case.
