When police officers violate your constitutional rights through excessive force, false arrest, or other misconduct, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. These damages are designed not just to cover your losses, but to hold law enforcement accountable for abusive behavior.
At Steering Law, we’ve helped numerous clients recover damages in police misconduct cases across Southern California. If you’ve been a victim in Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, or San Diego, contact us today for a free case evaluation to understand what your claim might be worth.
Types of Compensation Available in Police Misconduct Cases
Successful civil rights lawsuits can recover several types of damages:
1. Economic Damages (Tangible Financial Losses)
These cover out-of-pocket expenses resulting from police misconduct, including:
- Medical bills (emergency care, surgeries, therapy for injuries)
- Lost wages (from being unable to work due to injuries or wrongful arrest)
- Property damage (from unlawful searches or excessive force)
For example, a 2023 settlement in Los Angeles County awarded $750,000 to a man whose medical bills piled up after officers fractured his arm during an unlawful arrest.
2. Non-Economic Damages (Intangible Harms)
These compensate for the personal toll of misconduct, such as:
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
- Loss of enjoyment of life (if injuries cause long-term disability)
- Humiliation (from false arrest or public mistreatment)
Courts recognize that being brutalized or wrongfully imprisoned causes deep psychological scars beyond just financial losses.
3. Punitive Damages (To Punish Especially Bad Conduct)
In rare cases where officers acted with malice or reckless indifference, courts may award extra damages to punish the behavior and deter future abuses.
How Steering Law Has Secured Compensation for Victims
Our firm has a proven track record of winning substantial settlements and verdicts in police misconduct cases, including:
- $1,000,000 settlement for a client subjected to excessive force during an unlawful detention
- $450,000 recovery in a false arrest case where officers lacked probable cause
- Multiple six-figure verdicts for illegal searches and racial profiling incidents
These results demonstrate our ability to maximize compensation by:
- Thoroughly documenting all economic and non-economic harms
- Working with medical experts to validate injury claims
- Aggressively negotiating with city attorneys and police departments
Factors That Determine Your Case’s Value
While every case is different, key factors influencing compensation include:
1. Severity of Injuries
Cases involving broken bones, gunshot wounds, or lasting disabilities typically warrant higher payouts than minor injuries.
2. Evidence of Misconduct
Strong proof like bodycam footage showing excessive force or witnesses contradicting police reports strengthens your claim.
3. Impact on Your Life
Courts consider how the incident affected your:
- Ability to work
- Mental health (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
- Relationships and daily activities
Why You Need an Experienced Police Misconduct Attorney
Police departments have teams of lawyers working to minimize payouts. Without strong legal representation, victims often accept lowball settlements or see their cases dismissed. Steering Law fights back by:
- Immediately securing evidence before it disappears
- Consulting medical and policing experts to validate claims
- Negotiating aggressively or taking cases to trial when needed
Southern California Residents: Get Your Free Case Evaluation
If you suffered police misconduct in:
- Orange County (Anaheim PD, OCSD)
- Los Angeles County (LAPD, LASD)
- Riverside or San Bernardino Counties
- San Diego (SDPD, Sheriff’s Department)
…we can help determine what your case is worth. Steering Law offers:
✅ Free, no-obligation consultations
✅ No fees unless we win your case
✅ Decades of combined experience with police misconduct claims
Key Takeaways:
- Victims can recover medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and sometimes punitive damages
- Case values depend on injury severity, evidence strength, and life impact
- Steering Law has secured multiple six- and seven-figure settlements
- Act quickly – evidence disappears and deadlines apply
Don’t let police misconduct go unpunished. Contact Steering Law today, visit our website for your free case review. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve. Note: While we strive for maximum compensation, case results depend on specific facts and prior results don’t guarantee similar outcomes.