Police Brutality and Excessive Force Cases in South Carolina
If you or a loved one were involved in an altercation with law enforcement and believe that the police officer used excessive force to subdue or arrest you, may have a claim for compensation for your injuries.
Situations which may give rise to a South Carolina police brutality or excessive force case include:
- You were unarmed when you were shot or beaten by police during an arrest
- You were beaten or choked by police officers while being restrained
- You were being arrested or ticketed for a minor offense, but the officer used a weapon or Taser gun on you to subdue you
- You were beaten by prison guards while awaiting a trial or waiting for your bond
- You were sexually abused by prison guards or police
In situations where excessive force was used, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. Situations in which death occurs may give rise to a wrongful death claim.
Police Brutality Claims are Problematic Nationwide
Recent reports of police brutality across the country, sparked by protests in Ferguson, Missouri, highlight a growing problem with excessive force used by officers to subdue potential suspects. South Carolina has been no exception to the growing trend of police brutality and excessive force.
In fact, the Columbia Police Department has employed body cameras since 2012. The purpose of the cameras is not only to provide evidence in criminal or civil trials alleging excessive force used by officers, but to protect police officers as well, showing that in some instances, the suspect is violent and the officer took all necessary precautions. However, according to some officers in the CPD, the cameras are not only expensive, but complicated to use. They may not film interactions between suspects and officers clearly.
Filing criminal charges against police officers for excessive force can be very difficult. Officers file police reports after each incident, and these can often be written in favor of the officers involved in the excessive force incident. A South Carolina excessive force lawsuit may turn into a battle of “he said, she said.”
Civil lawsuits, including personal injury lawsuits, may provide more solace for a victim of excessive force or police brutality in South Carolina. In too many incidents, the victim has been so severely injured that they have to go to the hospital, which could leave them with huge medical bills, and they could not only spend unpaid time away from work, but could be in a position of losing their job if they have a criminal record after the excessive force incident. If being beaten by a police officer for a misdemeanor offense, or no offense at all, has left you disabled, hospitalized, suffering PTSD, or jobless, you may have a South Carolina excessive force claim.
The Strom Law Firm Investigates Claims of Excessive Force On Behalf of Injured Victims
The Strom Law Firm handles civil litigation, including personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits, for victims of violent crimes, including excessive force or police brutality. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today for help. 803.252.4800
