Long Beach Officer Involved Shooting Lawyer

Police officers have an inherently dangerous job that often places them in the direct path of lethal harm, and they are issued firearms to protect themselves and the public from dangerous individuals when necessary. However, police officers must conduct themselves appropriately at all times, only drawing and firing their weapons when absolutely necessary. A Long Beach officer involved shooting lawyer can help if you are hurt by violation of this responsibility.

Representing Victims of Officer Involved Shootings in Long Beach, CA

Greg Peacock Law offers focused and experienced legal counsel for all types of police misconduct claims in Long Beach and surrounding areas in California, and officer involved shootings have been a contentious issue of public debate in recent years. When you believe a police officer has violated their responsibilities to exercise reasonable care and discretion in using their firearm and injured you, we can help you hold them accountable.

Police misconduct cases are complex civil suits subject to various restrictions and limitations that do not apply to civil suits against other private individuals. Filing a claim against a police officer and/or a police department may be intimidating, but an experienced Long Beach officer involved shooting lawyer will help you approach this situation with confidence. Greg Peacock Law is ready to provide comprehensive support for every phase of your case.

Understanding Rules for Police Firearm Use

Police officers in Long Beach and throughout California are issued firearms in order to protect themselves and others from imminent threats of deadly harm. Every police officer must complete firearms safety courses and regular training, and they are required to meet strict rules for handling their firearms while on duty.

Police are legally permitted to use their firearms in response to a threat of deadly force, to protect themselves, their fellow officers, and members of the public. However, there are very specific rules when it comes to the use of deadly force, and when a police officer violates these rules they can be held accountable for the damage they caused. Greg Peacock Law has years of experience handling these cases and can identify when a police officer has used a firearm inappropriately.

Officer Involved Shooting

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Building a Claim for Officer Involved Shooting in Long Beach

Whether you were injured by gunfire from the police or you are pursuing accountability on behalf of an injured family member, you will need to prove that the police officer’s use of the firearm was negligent or illegal due to the manner in which they used it. For example, you may need to prove that the officer drew their weapon prematurely or that they lacked the proper competency to use it correctly and inflicted serious harm as a result.

Greg Peacock can assist you in proving that an officer’s use of their firearm was unlawful and that this unlawful use of force resulted in harm to you or a family member. The police may only use deadly force to protect themselves or others from deadly force or when a suspect who has committed a serious crime attempts to flee. It is possible for police shootings to occur when a traffic stop escalates to an altercation, during acts of violence in public places, or during an arrest.

You would have grounds to file a civil suit in response to an officer involved shooting if the incident resulted in harm to you or a loved one. Whether you were directly involved in a criminal investigation, arrest, or other official police business or you were harmed as a bystander, it is crucial to consult a Long Beach officer involved shooting lawyer who can help you start building your case.

Recovering Compensation for a Long Beach Officer Involved Shooting

Police officers in Long Beach and throughout California typically have qualified immunity from civil claims, but only under certain conditions. In order to file a civil suit in response to an officer involved shooting, your attorney will need to be able to cite an existing case with similar details to your own case, establishing a legal precedent to proceed with the suit. Qualified immunity for police does not apply if the police break an established law.

If you have grounds to file your officer involved shooting claim in Long Beach, success with the claim may yield several forms of compensation. An experienced attorney can not only assist you with building a stronger case but also help you maximize the total compensation you secure if you succeed. The damages you may be able to recover could include:

• Medical expenses. A gunshot wound is a medical emergency, even if it hits an extremity. The victim may require immediate emergency care as well as long-term treatment, and their medical expenses could dramatically increase if they suffered a serious gunshot wound that required life-saving medical intervention and a long hospital stay.
• Ongoing medical treatment costs. Some gunshot wounds cause lasting harm, including chronic pain, reduced mobility, or even permanent disability. If you require ongoing medical care due to your injury, your attorney can help you hold the defendant accountable for the full scope of the medical treatment costs resulting from an officer involved shooting.
• Lost income. If you are unable to work in the aftermath of an officer involved shooting due to your injuries, the defendant is liable for the income you were unable to earn during your recovery period. If the shooting resulted in permanent disability that limits your ability to work in the future, it is also possible to claim compensation for lost earning capacity.
• Property damage. In the event an officer involved shooting damaged or destroyed any of your personal property, you have the right to claim compensation for repair or replacement costs as an element of your civil suit.
• Physical pain and psychological distress. Gunshots are excruciatingly painful wounds that may result in a painful recovery. This is also a highly traumatic experience that can result in severe emotional distress, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and a host of other long-term psychological complications. Your attorney can help you collect compensation for these non-economic damages.
• Legal expenses. If you are forced to hire an attorney and file a civil suit in response to an unlawful use of deadly force by the police, it is possible to claim compensation for the cost of hiring an attorney and bringing your claim. Successfully obtaining compensation for your legal expenses could mean it will effectively cost nothing for you to file your suit.
• Punitive damages. As the name suggests, punitive damages are meant to punish wrongdoing. These are awarded at the discretion of the court in proportion to the severity of the defendant’s actions. The amount paid will vary based on the overall effects of the officer involved shooting and the manner in which the defendant committed the act.

Your case may be worth more than you initially expect, and working with a seasoned Long Beach officer involved shooting lawyer is the ideal way to ensure a positive outcome to your case and maximum compensation for your damages. Greg Peacock Law has helped many past clients file these cases and will leverage this experience on your behalf.

What to Expect From Your Long Beach Officer Involved Shooting Lawyer

Filing any type of civil suit against the police requires meeting strict court filing deadlines and various other procedural rules that do not apply to most standard personal injury cases. Claims arising from officer involved shootings are particularly challenging and sensitive as the police and their advocates are quick to defend officers who draw their weapons in the line of duty, sometimes even defending them when they use unjustifiable lethal force.

An experienced Long Beach officer involved shooting lawyer will help you gather the evidence you need to prove that the shooting in question was excessive and/or unlawful. Whenever police misconduct occurs, the affected victim has the right to file a formal complaint with the police department, but this may not yield an acceptable resolution. Filing a civil suit with an attorney’s help can ensure accountability and help the victim recover compensation for their damages.

Greg Peacock Law will carefully review the details of your story and help you gather evidence to show the truth of the matter in question. Whether you were directly involved in some type of police incident or harmed as a bystander, you need legal counsel you can trust to navigate this complex case successfully.

If you are concerned about the cost of hiring legal counsel, remember that it is possible to claim compensation for your legal expenses from the defendant. Even if this is not an option, Greg Peacock Law accepts police misconduct cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not pay any upfront legal fees to our firm and will only pay a fee if we win. Additionally, we only charge a percentage of the total compensation we recover on your behalf.

You face a strict filing deadline for any type of civil suit against a police officer or police department in California. If you believe you have grounds for a claim after a police shooting that injured you or a family member, Greg Peacock Law can help. Contact us today and schedule a consultation with a Long Beach officer involved shooting lawyer to learn how we can help.