Manhattan Police Shootings

Because video surveillance and cell phones are so widespread, many police shootings have been caught on video and have gone viral on social media. However, police shootings have been a problem for years. While some are justified, far too many are unwarranted. When a police officer shoots a civilian and it is unwarranted, they would have used excessive force. Not only should they be disciplined by the department, they should also face criminal charges and civil liable ability for the injury or wrongful death suffered by the victim. If you or a family member are a victim of a police shooting, you should immediately contact an experienced Manhattan police shootings lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss your case and options for receiving justice for the injuries suffered.

An unwarranted police shooting is a type of excessive force (link to: ). The job of a police officer is inherently dangerous. They deal with violence on an almost daily basis and often their lives are in danger. Police officers are allowed to use their guns and other weapons in the course of their duties, but only if the situation warrants it.

Excessive force occurs when a police officer uses more force than is necessary to control a situation, protect themselves, or protect others. Deadly force, including using a gun, can be used if the officer reasonably believes that the use of deadly force is required to defend the officer or another person from the use or imminent use of deadly force.

If the situation did not require use of a gun, then not only would it be against department policy to shoot, it may even be a crime. As an experienced Manhattan police shootings lawyer will explain, the use of a gun should only be used in extreme situations.

Note that in addition to shooting, there are other excessive force actions by police that may result in serious injury and civil liability. For example, improper use of chokeholds, unwarranted use of a taser, and striking the victim with a nightstick can result in serious physical injury just like a gun can.

When a police officer shoots a civilian in an act of excessive force, they must be held accountable for the harm they caused. Victims of police shootings are entitled to seek compensation for their losses. This would include their medical expenses, including future medical expenses for victims whose injuries will required years of recovery and those who suffer permanent injuries. They are also entitled to receive compensation for lost wages. Victims of police shootings may not be able to work while they recover from their injuries. In some cases, they may not ever be able to work again.

In addition, victims are entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering. A gunshot injury is painful and may require a long and painful recovery. Compensation for pain and suffering covers the physical and emotional pain caused by the police officer’s actions. In addition, as an experienced police shooting attorney in Manhattan can explain, victims may also be entitled to substantial damages for punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded in situations where the defendant acted so outrageously that they deserved to be punished.

Depending on the circumstances of the shooting, you may be eligible to file a civil claim and receive substantial damages for your injuries or for your loved one’s death. While shootings caught on videotape have been highlighted in the media, video of a shooting is not required to be awarded compensation. The first step in pursuing justice is to the contact an experienced police shooting attorney serving Manhattan. We have over two decades of experience fighting for justice for injured victims and their families. Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We help victims of police shootings and other misconduct stand up for their rights and get compensation. We represent clients in the Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, Nassau County, Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester County, and Suffolk County.