At Justin Palmer Law Group, we represent victims who have suffered broken bones caused by police brutality across Riverside County. From University Avenue to the neighborhoods along Alessandro Boulevard, our firm stands ready to protect the constitutional rights of community members who have experienced excessive force resulting in serious physical injuries.

Contact us today for a confidential consultation and discover how we can help you rebuild your life while holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

What is Police Brutality?

Under California law, police brutality is not explicitly defined by a single statute but falls under broader categories of police misconduct. In California, it's generally understood as the use of excessive or unnecessary force by law enforcement officers that exceeds what's reasonable under the circumstances. This includes physical violence, unnecessary use of weapons or restraints, or other actions that violate a person's constitutional rights during encounters with police.

California addresses police misconduct through various legal frameworks including the Bane Act (California Civil Code Section 52.1), which prohibits interference with constitutional rights by threat, intimidation, or coercion. Additionally, California Penal Code Section 149 criminalizes assault and battery by public officers under color of authority, making it illegal for officers to use unreasonable or excessive force while performing their duties.

Common Broken Bones Caused by Police Brutality

At Justin Palmer Law Group, we regularly represent clients who have suffered broken bones caused by police brutality during encounters with law enforcement across Riverside County. These injuries can occur during arrests, detainments, or other interactions when excessive force is used.

• Facial Fractures: Orbital bone, nasal, and jaw fractures often result from direct strikes to the face during arrests or while individuals are already restrained, potentially causing long-term disfigurement or vision problems.
• Rib Fractures: Commonly caused by excessive force during restraint, including knee pressure on the torso or aggressive takedown maneuvers, which can lead to painful breathing and potential internal injuries.
• Wrist and Hand Fractures: Frequently occur during overly aggressive handcuffing procedures or when officers apply unnecessary force to compliant individuals, often resulting in long-term mobility issues.
• Arm Fractures: Humeral and forearm fractures typically happen during arm-bar takedowns or when arms are wrenched behind backs with excessive force during arrests along busy Riverside thoroughfares.
• Collarbone Fractures: Result from forceful takedowns or officers applying weight to the upper body during restraint, causing significant pain and restricted shoulder movement.
• Leg and Ankle Fractures: Often occur when officers use leg sweeps, baton strikes to lower extremities, or apply weight to legs during restraint, potentially causing permanent mobility issues.
• Skull Fractures: The most severe broken bones caused by police brutality, typically resulting from head impacts during takedowns or deliberate strikes, with potential for traumatic brain injury.

If you've experienced broken bones caused by police brutality in Riverside County, our Riverside police brutality lawyers can help you document these injuries, establish liability, and pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and violation of your constitutional rights.

What Causes Broken Bones From Police?

At Justin Palmer Law Group, we've documented numerous cases where broken bones caused by police brutality resulted from specific law enforcement tactics and equipment used during encounters in Riverside County. Understanding these causes is crucial when building a case for victims.

• Improper Restraint Techniques: Officers using excessive leverage or pressure during handcuffing or restraint procedures can fracture wrists, arms, or ribs, particularly when subjects are already compliant.
• Baton Strikes: Tactical batons can deliver significant force capable of fracturing bones when used improperly or against non-threatening individuals, especially when aimed at vulnerable areas like joints or the head.
• "Pain Compliance" Techniques: Some officers use joint manipulation techniques with excessive force, causing fractures rather than temporary discomfort, often justified as attempting to gain compliance.
• Takedown Maneuvers: Aggressive takedowns onto hard surfaces like sidewalks along University Avenue or concrete floors can result in broken collarbones, facial fractures, or extremity fractures.
• Mechanical Restraints: Overly tight handcuffs or flex cuffs can cause fractures in the small bones of the wrist, particularly when individuals are left restrained for extended periods.
• Body Weight Tactics: Officers applying their full body weight to restrain subjects, especially on their back, chest, or extremities, can cause fractures from the concentrated pressure.
• Less-Lethal Projectiles: Impact munitions like rubber bullets or bean bag rounds can fracture bones when fired at close range or aimed at vulnerable areas contrary to training protocols.

If you've suffered broken bones caused by police brutality in Riverside County, our Riverside police brutality lawyers can investigate the specific tactics used during your encounter and build a compelling case demonstrating how officers exceeded reasonable force standards.

Legal Standards for Police Use of Force

Law enforcement officers are trained to use a continuum of force appropriate to specific situations. When officers escalate force beyond what's reasonably necessary, resulting in broken bones caused by police brutality, they violate both department policies and constitutional rights.

The Supreme Court established in Graham v. Connor that police use of force must be evaluated based on what would be "objectively reasonable" under the circumstances. Officers must consider:

• The severity of the alleged crime
• Whether the suspect poses an immediate threat
• Whether the suspect is actively resisting or attempting to flee

When police actions in Riverside County result in broken bones caused by police brutality, these standards have often been violated. Our attorneys meticulously analyze all aspects of these incidents, from initial police contact on busy corridors like Market Street to interactions in more residential areas near Fairmount Park.

What To Do If You Are a Victim of Broken Bones Caused By Police Brutality

At Justin Palmer Law Group, we advise Riverside County residents who have suffered broken bones caused by police brutality to take specific, timely actions to protect their rights and build a strong case. Following these steps increases the likelihood of successful accountability and compensation.

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Document all injuries at facilities like Riverside Community Hospital or Kaiser Permanente Riverside, ensuring medical records clearly attribute fractures to police interaction and detail the full extent of damage.
• Document Everything: Take photographs of all visible injuries, collect names and contact information of witnesses, note the exact location (whether on Market Street or elsewhere), and write down a detailed account of the incident while memory is fresh.
• Preserve Evidence: Keep all items related to the incident, including torn or bloodied clothing, broken personal effects, and any objects that demonstrate the force used during the encounter.
• File an Official Complaint: Submit a formal complaint with the police department's internal affairs division or civilian oversight board, creating an official record of the incident involving broken bones caused by police brutality.
• Avoid Social Media Discussion: Refrain from posting details about your case online, as these statements can be used against you by defense attorneys representing the officers involved.
• Request Body Camera Footage: Submit formal requests for any available footage from body cameras, dash cameras, or surveillance systems that may have captured the incident.
• Contact a Riverside Police Brutality Lawyer: Consult with our team at Justin Palmer Law Group as soon as possible to ensure evidence is properly preserved and all legal deadlines are met.

If you've experienced broken bones caused by police brutality in Riverside County, time is critical. Our Riverside police brutality lawyers can help navigate complex legal processes while you focus on physical recovery and emotional healing from this traumatic experience.

How To Document Broken Bones Caused by Police Brutality

Proper documentation is crucial in cases involving broken bones caused by police brutality. At Justin Palmer Law Group, we guide clients through every step of this process:

1. Medical documentation: Comprehensive medical records from facilities like Riverside Community Hospital or Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center provide critical evidence of fractures, treatment needs, and potential long-term implications.
2. Incident documentation: Preserving evidence from the scene, including witness information from bystanders along University Avenue or near the Riverside Plaza.
3. Police records: Obtaining official reports, body camera footage, and dispatch recordings to identify discrepancies between officer accounts and physical evidence.
4. Photographic evidence: Documenting injuries at various stages of healing to establish the severity of broken bones caused by police brutality.

This evidence forms the foundation of civil rights claims under Section 1983 of the U.S. Code, which provides the legal pathway to hold officers accountable for constitutional violations.

Impact of Broken Bones on Victims' Lives

The consequences of broken bones caused by police brutality extend far beyond the immediate physical pain. Victims often face:

• Extended medical treatment and rehabilitation
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Psychological trauma, including PTSD and anxiety
• Difficulty maintaining employment and relationships
• Long-term disability in severe cases

For Riverside County residents, these injuries can be life-altering. A delivery driver with fractured wrists may lose their livelihood. A warehouse worker with broken ribs might be unable to perform essential job functions. A student at UC Riverside with a broken leg may fall behind in studies.

At Justin Palmer Law Group, we understand these impacts and work to ensure compensation addresses both immediate and long-term consequences of broken bones caused by police brutality.

Types of Claims for Broken Bones Caused by Police Brutality

When representing clients who have suffered broken bones caused by police brutality, our Riverside legal team pursues several potential claims:

Excessive Force Claims: Under the Fourth Amendment, these claims assert that officers used force beyond what was reasonable and necessary, resulting in broken bones.

Failure to Intervene: When officers witness colleagues using excessive force leading to broken bones but fail to stop it, they may be liable for the resulting injuries.

Municipal Liability: In cases where departmental policies, training deficiencies, or patterns of misconduct contributed to the broken bones caused by police brutality.

State Law Claims: Including assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence claims against officers and departments.

Our approach is always tailored to the specific circumstances surrounding each incident of broken bones caused by police brutality in Riverside County.

Compensation for Victims of Police Brutality

Victims of broken bones caused by police brutality may be entitled to various forms of compensation:

Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses for treatment at local facilities
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Psychological trauma

Punitive Damages:

• In cases of particularly egregious misconduct

The Justin Palmer Law Group has secured significant settlements and verdicts for clients who have suffered broken bones caused by police brutality throughout Riverside County. We understand how to value these claims appropriately based on factors including injury severity, long-term prognosis, and the impact on your daily life.

Barriers to Justice in Police Brutality Cases

Victims seeking accountability for broken bones caused by police brutality face unique challenges:

Qualified Immunity: This legal doctrine shields officers from civil liability unless they violated "clearly established" legal rights that a reasonable person would have known about.

Police Narratives: Departments often present unified accounts of incidents that minimize officer culpability for broken bones caused by police brutality.

Investigative Obstacles: Internal affairs investigations may lack transparency or thoroughness when examining incidents involving broken bones caused by police brutality.

Public Perception: Preconceptions about individuals from certain neighborhoods, like parts of Eastside Riverside or areas along Chicago Avenue, can influence how cases are initially perceived.

Our Riverside police brutality lawyers have the resources and determination to overcome these barriers. We conduct independent investigations, consult with medical and law enforcement experts, and build compelling cases that overcome qualified immunity defenses.

The Legal Process for Police Brutality Claims

If you've suffered broken bones caused by police brutality in Riverside County, understanding the legal process is essential:

1. Initial Investigation: Our team collects evidence, identifies witnesses, and secures medical documentation.
2. Administrative Claims: Most cases require filing governmental claims before proceeding to lawsuits.
3. Civil Rights Lawsuit: Filing in federal or state court, detailing constitutional violations and damages.
4. Discovery Phase: Obtaining police records, deposing officers and witnesses, consulting experts.
5. Settlement Negotiations or Trial: Pursuing maximum compensation through negotiation or courtroom advocacy.

Throughout this process, the Justin Palmer Law Group provides guidance and support, ensuring you understand each development in your case involving broken bones caused by police brutality.

How a Riverside Police Brutality Lawyer Can Maximize Your Compensation

At Justin Palmer Law Group, our Riverside County police brutality lawyers employ proven strategies to maximize compensation for clients who have suffered broken bones caused by police brutality in Riverside County. Our comprehensive approach addresses both economic and non-economic damages to ensure full accountability.

• Thorough Evidence Collection: Our California police brutality lawyers meticulously gather medical records, witness statements, expert testimonies, and surveillance footage from locations throughout Riverside to build an irrefutable connection between police actions and your broken bones caused by police brutality.
• Comprehensive Damage Assessment: We calculate all damages including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering to ensure nothing is overlooked in your broken bones caused by police brutality case.
• Identifying All Liable Parties: Beyond individual officers, we investigate supervisory liability, departmental policies, and municipal responsibility to expand the scope of compensation sources for your broken bones caused by police brutality.
• Strategic Negotiation Tactics: Our Riverside police brutality lawyers leverage compelling evidence and legal precedent during negotiations with city attorneys and insurance representatives to achieve settlements that truly reflect the severity of your injuries.
• Trial Preparation From Day One: We build every case as if it will go to trial, developing compelling narratives that connect with jurors and demonstrate the full impact of broken bones caused by police brutality on your life.
• Expert Witness Coordination: We work with medical professionals, use-of-force experts, and economic analysts who can effectively communicate how your broken bones caused by police brutality exceed standard injury cases in both severity and constitutional implications.
• Addressing Psychological Impact: We ensure compensation includes the often-overlooked psychological trauma and emotional distress that accompanies broken bones caused by police brutality, particularly when incidents occur in public settings.
• Navigating Complex Legal Barriers: We develop strategic approaches to overcome qualified immunity and other legal obstacles that frequently protect officers in cases involving broken bones caused by police brutality.

If you've suffered broken bones caused by police brutality in Riverside County, don't settle for inadequate compensation or allow important deadlines to pass. Contact our Riverside police brutality lawyers today for a confidential consultation to discuss how we can help maximize your financial recovery while holding responsible parties accountable.

Ready to Fight for Your Rights and Recovery?

At Justin Palmer Law Group, we understand the devastating impact that broken bones caused by police brutality can have on your life and well-being. Our Riverside police brutality lawyers are committed to standing by your side throughout the legal process, fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve. If you've suffered broken bones or other injuries due to law enforcement misconduct in Riverside County, don't face this challenge alone.

Contact us today for a confidential consultation and discover how we can help you rebuild your life while holding those responsible accountable for their actions.