When a loved one dies while in police custody, families are often left with profound grief, unanswered questions, and a complex legal landscape to navigate. At Justin Palmer Law Group, we represent families throughout Riverside County who have suffered the devastating loss of a family member while in police custody. Our firm is dedicated to uncovering the truth, holding responsible parties accountable, and securing fair compensation for surviving family members.

Financial Compensation You Can Pursue in a Death in Police Custody Lawsuit

As your death in police custody lawyer, we fight to secure the full range of damages available under federal and state law.

• Wrongful Death Damages: Compensation for the financial support the deceased would have provided to family members, including lost income, benefits, and inheritance
• Survival Action Damages: Money for the pain and suffering your loved one experienced between the time of injury and death, including conscious pain experienced while in custody
• Medical Expenses: Reimbursement for any medical costs incurred attempting to treat injuries sustained while in police custody
• Funeral and Burial Costs: Complete coverage for all end-of-life expenses resulting from the death in police custody
• Loss of Companionship: Financial recognition of the personal relationship family members have lost, including guidance, affection, and support
• Punitive Damages: Additional compensation specifically designed to punish particularly egregious misconduct by officers or departments
• Mental Anguish: Damages for the emotional trauma and psychological suffering experienced by surviving family members
• Loss of Care and Nurturing: Compensation specifically for minor children who have lost the guidance, education, and nurturing a parent would have provided
• Attorney's Fees and Costs: In successful civil rights cases, defendants may be required to pay for your death in police custody lawyer fees and litigation expenses

Your family deserves comprehensive compensation that acknowledges both economic losses and the profound personal impact of your loss. The Justin Palmer Law Group works diligently to document and pursue every available form of damages.

Types of Deaths in Police Custody We Handle

The Justin Palmer Law Group has represented families in cases involving various types of in-custody deaths:

• Medical Neglect: When officers ignore serious medical conditions or fail to provide timely medical care, leading to preventable deaths.
• Excessive Force: Cases where unreasonable or disproportionate force during arrest or detention causes fatal injuries.
• Restraint-Related Deaths: Including positional asphyxia cases where improper restraint techniques restrict breathing.
• Suicide in Custody: When facilities fail to implement proper suicide prevention protocols despite known risk factors.
• Denied Medication: Deaths resulting from failure to provide prescribed medications for chronic conditions.
• Assault by Officers or Inmates: When violence in detention facilities leads to fatalities that could have been prevented.
• Substance Withdrawal: Deaths occurring when detainees experiencing withdrawal symptoms are not properly monitored or treated.

As a dedicated death in police custody lawyer firm, we have the knowledge to handle each unique circumstance.

How a Death in Police Custody Lawyer Can Maximize Your Family's Compensation

At Justin Palmer Law Group, we employ proven legal strategies to help families secure the highest possible compensation after losing a loved one in police custody.

• Comprehensive Evidence Collection: We gather all available evidence including body camera footage, surveillance video, witness statements, police reports, medical records, and internal department communications to build an ironclad case
• Multiple Liability Parties: Our death in police custody lawyer team identifies all potentially responsible parties beyond individual officers, including supervisors, training officers, department leadership, and government entities
• Independent Investigation: We conduct our own thorough investigation rather than relying solely on the department's internal review, often uncovering crucial evidence overlooked by official inquiries
• Medical and Forensic Analysis: We work with leading pathologists and forensic specialists who can testify about the true cause of death and contradict potentially misleading official findings
• Pattern Evidence Documentation: We research and document any history of similar incidents or complaints against the officers or department involved to establish negligent patterns
• Policy Violation Identification: Our team meticulously reviews all applicable policies and procedures to demonstrate when officers failed to follow their own department's guidelines
• Strategic Case Timing: We carefully manage the timing of settlement negotiations and trial preparations to prevent defendants from delaying justice and avoiding full accountability
• Advanced Trial Preparation: Every case is prepared as though it will go to trial, strengthening our negotiating position and ensuring readiness if settlement offers prove insufficient
• Media and Public Pressure: When appropriate and with family approval, we strategically engage with media to create accountability and prevent cases from being quietly dismissed
• Multi-pronged Legal Approach: As your death in police custody lawyer, we pursue all available legal theories under federal civil rights laws and state wrongful death statutes to maximize recovery possibilities

The Justin Palmer Law Group's focused approach has enabled families throughout Riverside County to secure significant compensation while bringing crucial transparency to police custody practices.

Who is Liable for The Death of Your Loved One?

When pursuing a death in police custody lawsuit, our legal team identifies all parties whose actions or negligence contributed to the tragic outcome.

• Individual Officers: Police officers who used excessive force, failed to provide medical care, or directly caused injuries leading to death can be held personally liable for their actions
• Supervising Officers: Sergeants, lieutenants, and other supervisors who failed to properly train, monitor, or intervene when witnessing misconduct may share responsibility
• Police Department: The law enforcement agency itself may be liable for inadequate policies, improper training, or fostering a culture that permits constitutional violations
• Municipality or County: Local governments can be held responsible when their policies, customs, or practices lead to constitutional violations resulting in death
• Private Jail Contractors: Companies operating detention facilities under government contracts may be liable for deaths resulting from cost-cutting measures or inadequate staffing
• Medical Providers: Doctors, nurses, and healthcare contractors who provide substandard care to detainees or ignore serious medical needs can face liability
• Correctional Officers: Jail staff who use excessive force, fail to conduct required cell checks, or ignore distress signals may be responsible for in-custody deaths
• Training Officers: Those responsible for teaching proper restraint techniques, medical response protocols, or use of force standards may be liable for inadequate training
• Hiring Authorities: Officials who hire officers despite known problematic histories or who fail to conduct proper background checks can share responsibility
• Contracted Services: Food service providers, transportation companies, or other contractors whose negligence contributes to a death may be named in a lawsuit

As your death in police custody lawyer, Justin Palmer Law Group thoroughly investigates all potential sources of liability to ensure every responsible party is held accountable for their role in your loved one's death.

Causes of Deaths in Police Custody

As an experienced death in police custody lawyer firm, we have investigated numerous fatalities with various causes that often indicate negligence or misconduct.

• Excessive Force: Improper restraint techniques, chokeholds, tasers, or physical violence that causes fatal injuries during arrest or while in custody
• Positional Asphyxia: Death resulting from body positioning that restricts breathing, often occurring when individuals are improperly restrained face-down with pressure on their back or neck
• Medical Neglect: Failure to provide timely medical care or necessary medication for known conditions, resulting in preventable deaths while in custody
• Suicide: Deaths occurring when facilities fail to implement proper suicide prevention protocols despite awareness of risk factors or previous attempts
• Substance Withdrawal: Fatal complications from alcohol or drug withdrawal when detainees are not properly monitored or provided medical intervention
• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Head trauma during arrest or from falls in custody that goes untreated or undiagnosed, leading to fatal swelling or bleeding
• Physical Restraint Devices: Improper use of handcuffs, leg shackles, or restraint chairs causing circulation problems, respiratory distress, or other fatal complications
• Inter-Inmate Violence: Assaults by other detainees when officers fail to provide adequate supervision or deliberately place individuals in dangerous situations
• Excited Delirium Complications: Deaths attributed to this controversial condition often involve excessive restraint and failure to recognize medical emergencies
• Taser Fatalities: Cardiac arrest or other fatal complications resulting from electroshock weapons, particularly when used on individuals with health conditions
• Failure to Screen Medical Conditions: Deaths caused by not identifying or documenting serious health issues during intake that require monitoring or treatment

If your loved one died while in police custody, the Justin Palmer Law Group can investigate the specific circumstances and help determine if legal action is warranted for the responsible parties.

Who Can File a Death in Police Custody Lawsuit?

California law establishes specific guidelines regarding who may pursue legal action when a death in police custody occurs.

• Immediate Family Members: Spouses, domestic partners, children, and parents of the deceased typically have priority in filing wrongful death claims after a death in police custody
• Financial Dependents: Individuals who relied on the deceased person for financial support may have standing to pursue compensation, even if they aren't immediate relatives
• Personal Representatives: The executor or administrator of the deceased's estate can file a survival action on behalf of the estate to recover damages the victim could have claimed
• Minor Children: Children of the deceased have legal rights to compensation, with claims typically brought by their guardian or through a court-appointed representative
• Adoptive Parents: Those who legally adopted the deceased have the same rights as biological parents when pursuing a death in police custody lawsuit
• Stepchildren: In some circumstances, stepchildren who were financially dependent on the deceased may qualify to bring claims
• Putative Spouse: Someone who believed in good faith they were married to the deceased may have standing to sue in certain situations
• Parents of Adult Children: Parents who have lost an adult child in police custody can file claims, particularly if they received financial support from their child
• Siblings: Brothers and sisters might have standing if they were financially dependent on the deceased and there are no surviving children, parents, or spouse

If your loved one died while in police custody, contact Justin Palmer Law Group immediately to determine which family members have legal standing to pursue justice and compensation.

What To Do If You Lost a Loved One While They Were In Police Custody

The actions you take immediately following a death in police custody can significantly impact your family's ability to pursue justice and compensation.

• Contact a Death in Police Custody Lawyer: Speak with our experienced legal team as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin preserving critical evidence before it disappears
• Request All Records: Formally request all incident reports, medical records, video footage, and communications related to your loved one's time in custody
• Independent Autopsy: Consider arranging for a second, independent autopsy before burial to document injuries or causes of death that might be overlooked or mischaracterized
• Document Everything: Keep detailed notes of all communications with officials, including names, dates, times, and what was discussed regarding your loved one's death
• Preserve Evidence: Secure any personal items returned to you, letters or communications received from your loved one before their death, and any relevant medical records
• Limit Public Statements: Avoid posting details about the case on social media or speaking to the press without legal guidance, as these statements could affect your case
• File Formal Complaints: Submit official complaints with relevant oversight agencies, including internal affairs, civilian review boards, and the Department of Justice
• Gather Witness Information: Collect contact information for anyone who witnessed the arrest, had contact with your loved one in custody, or has relevant information
• Attend to Death Certificate: Review the death certificate carefully and note any concerns about how the cause of death is recorded
• Consider Time Limitations: Be aware that strict deadlines apply to police brutality lawyer cases, with some requiring notice of claim filings within just 6 months

The Justin Palmer Law Group understands the overwhelming nature of these steps during your time of grief, which is why our death in police custody lawyer team can handle these critical tasks while you focus on your family's emotional needs.

Seek Justice for Your Loved One Today

If your family is suffering after a death in police custody, don't navigate this complex legal process alone. Justin Palmer Law Group brings dedicated advocacy, thorough investigation skills, and unwavering commitment to holding responsible parties accountable. Contact us today for a confidential consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.

Death in Police Custody Lawyer FAQs

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a death in police custody? In California, wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years of the death, but claims against government entities require a government tort claim to be filed within six months. This makes it critical to consult with a death in police custody lawyer immediately to preserve your rights.

Can I still pursue a case if my loved one had a criminal history? Yes. Everyone has constitutional rights, regardless of criminal history. The legal standard is whether excessive force or deliberate indifference to medical needs occurred, not the background of the deceased. Our firm vigorously defends the rights of all individuals who died in custody.

What if the official cause of death doesn't mention police misconduct? Death certificates and official reports often minimize or omit officer misconduct. Our death in police custody lawyer team works with independent medical examiners to review evidence and establish the true cause of death, frequently uncovering facts contradicting official narratives.

How much does it cost to hire your law firm for a police custody death case? We handle death in police custody cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs or hourly fees. Our firm only receives payment if we secure compensation for your family, typically as a percentage of the recovery.

What if internal affairs already investigated and found no wrongdoing? Internal investigations often protect departments rather than seek truth. Our independent investigation frequently reveals evidence overlooked or ignored by internal affairs. A death in police custody lawyer conducts a truly impartial investigation focused solely on your family's interests.

Can I file a lawsuit if my loved one died by suicide in custody? Yes. Facilities have a legal duty to screen for suicide risk and implement prevention measures for at-risk detainees. If they failed to provide proper monitoring or ignored warning signs, they may be liable even in suicide cases.

What evidence is most important in death in police custody cases? Video footage, witness statements, medical records, autopsy reports, and police communications are crucial evidence. Our firm uses legal tools like subpoenas and court orders to obtain these materials before they can be altered or destroyed.

Will filing a lawsuit lead to policy changes that prevent future deaths? Many of our cases have resulted in significant policy reforms, including improved medical screening procedures, better suicide prevention protocols, and enhanced officer training. While we cannot guarantee specific changes, successful litigation often motivates departments to implement reforms.

Is it possible to sue even if criminal charges weren't filed against officers? Absolutely. The standard of proof in civil cases (preponderance of evidence) is lower than in criminal cases (beyond reasonable doubt). Many successful death in police custody lawsuits proceed even when prosecutors decline to bring criminal charges against officers.