Standing Up Against Injustice. Protecting Your Civil Rights.
Our Civil Rights practice is built on an unwavering commitment to protecting families, communities, and the fundamental freedoms that shape our nation. We are dedicated to driving meaningful social change through powerful advocacy and by holding individuals, employers, and government officials accountable for injustice.
At McEldrew Purtell, fighting for our clientsâ rights is not just our professionâit is our passion. We work tirelessly to preserve constitutional protections, seek justice for those whose civil rights have been violated, and demand fair compensation. Just as importantly, we strive to ensure that each case shines a light on systemic issues, garnering the public attention and support necessary to advance the broader fight for justice and equality.
Civil Rights Lawyers
With decades of experience in civil rights litigation, McEldrew Purtell is well-suited to evaluate the situation and help determine if the harm suffered involved violations of constitutional protections, unlawful discrimination, or other infringements of fundamental rights.
Our Results
McEldrew Purtell has a proven track record of maximizing recovery for our clients.
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Civil Rights Lawsuits: A Comprehensive Guide for Catastrophic Injury and Wrongful Death Victims
This guide provides an assertive, step-by-step overview of civil rights lawsuits â from understanding what qualifies, to navigating the legal process, to securing fair compensation. It is nationwide in scope and geared toward victims of severe injury or wrongful death.
Ways We Can Help
Civil rights violations, whether police misconduct, discrimination, or abuse in jails and public institutions, can upend lives and erode trust. These cases are uniquely complex, with strict deadlines, qualified immunity defenses, and multiple agencies, policies, and records at issue. Our experienced civil rights lawyers are prepared to stand with you, investigate relentlessly, and fight for the accountability, compensation, and reforms you deserve.
Excessive Force & Police Shootings
Excessive forceâincluding fatal police shootingsâcan cause catastrophic harm and raise serious civil rights concerns; when deadly force exceeds what the law allows, victims and families may seek accountability and compensation.
In-Custody Injury & Denial of Medical Care
In-custody injuries and denial of medical care can cause catastrophic harm and violate constitutional rights; when officials ignore serious medical needs or fail to protect detainees, victims and families may seek accountability and compensation.
Wrongful Convictions
Being convicted and imprisoned for a crime you did not commit is one of the gravest injustices. Wrongful conviction cases seek to hold authorities accountable and recover damages for the years of freedom unjustly taken.
Donât Just Take Our Word For It
Hear From Our Clients
At McEldrew Purtell, results matter and so does the way we achieve them. While our case outcomes reflect our tenacity in court and at the negotiation table, itâs the voices of our clients that truly capture who we are and why we do this work.
We represent people at the worst moments of their lives: after catastrophic injuries, workplace tragedies, and preventable losses. Through every case, we aim to deliver not just compensation but clarity, confidence, and care.
If youâre considering working with a Philadelphia trial lawyer, we invite you to read what our clients have said about their experiences with McEldrew Purtell. Their words are the most powerful testament to our values, our dedication, and our results.
Learn More
Family of Amanda Cahill Files Federal Lawsuit After Jail Overdose
McEldrew Purtell has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the family of Amanda Cahill, a 31-year-old mother who died in September 2024 of a suspected fentanyl overdose while incarcerated at the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center (PICC).
Baton Rouge Police Department Strip-Search Class Action: What Victims Should Know (2025 Update)
The Baton Rouge Police Department Systematically violated the rights of citizens by taking them into custody, strip searching, and physically abusing them without justification or legitimate purpose. The officers and supervisors who committed these violations were in a specialized unit…
McEldrew Purtell is currently investigating the New Orleans Terror Attack
In the early hours of New Yearâs Eve, tragedy struck when a devastating attack led to unimaginable loss and injury. Many lives were changed forever, and the community is still reeling from the effects. At McEldrew Purtell, we stand with…
$1.6 Million Settlement: Wrongful Death in Prison
Our Civil Rights Team led by Mark V. Maguire reached a $1.6 million settlement for the estate of Marvin David Scott III, who was wrongfully killed by police officers while in custody. Mr. Scott was under arrest for a misdemeanor of…
$1.25 Million Settlement: Civil Rights Matter
Attorney Mark Maguire of our civil rights team secured $1.25 million for the estate of Damien Daniels, an Army veteran, wrongfully killed by police during a welfare check. On August 25, 2020, Damien Daniels was shot twice in the chest…
$2 Million Settlement for Man Raped and Killed in Philly Prison
Armani Faison, 35, was incarcerated in Philadelphia’s Currran-Fromhold Correctional Facility for a mere shoplifting charge when things took a heinous turn. Mr. Faison was placed in a cell with Kevin Massey who has a history of violence and sexual assault…
FAQs
Get answers to commonly asked questions regarding civil rights cases and learn how we can help with your case.
What qualifies as a civil rights case involving catastrophic injury or wrongful death?
Civil rights cases arise when government officials, law enforcement, or institutions violate constitutional protections, resulting in severe injury or loss of life. Examples include police shootings, excessive force, denial of medical care in custody, or deaths caused by prison neglect.
How is a civil rights case different from a typical personal injury or wrongful death claim?
While personal injury cases usually involve negligence, civil rights claims focus on violations of constitutional or statutory rights. These cases often involve government actors, require proof of constitutional violations, and may be filed under federal laws such as Section 1983.
What type of civil rights violations can lead to wrongful death lawsuits?
Common violations include unlawful police shootings, excessive force, deliberate indifference to serious medical needs in prisons or jails, fatal injuries caused by police misconduct, and deaths resulting from government negligence or discrimination.
Who can file a civil rights wrongful death lawsuit?
Typically, surviving family members or the personal representative of the deceasedâs estate can bring a claim. Each state has specific rules on who may file and what damages may be recovered.
What damages are available in catastrophic injury and wrongful death civil rights cases?
Damages may include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, funeral costs, and compensation for loss of companionship. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish egregious misconduct.
How long do I have to file a civil rights lawsuit?
Civil rights claims are subject to strict statutes of limitations, which vary by state and by the type of violation. Because deadlines can be very short, itâs important to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Can civil rights cases be brought against both individuals and government agencies?
Yes. Claims can be brought against individual officers or officials who violated rights, as well as against municipalities, correctional facilities, or agencies if their policies or failures contributed to the harm.
What evidence is needed to pursue a civil rights claim?
Evidence may include witness statements, video or bodycam footage, medical records, police reports, jail records, and expert testimony. An experienced attorney can help preserve and gather critical evidence quickly.
Are civil rights cases difficult to win?
These cases are often complex and challenging, especially because they involve constitutional law and powerful government entities. Success requires thorough investigation, expert analysis, and a law firm experienced in handling high-stakes civil rights litigation.
How much does it cost to hire a civil rights attorney?
Many civil rights firms, including ours, handle catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. This means clients pay no upfront fees, and attorneys are only paid if the case is successful.
How do you hold civil rights violators liable?
When your rights are violated, there are several legal avenues to seek justice. Our attorneys begin by thoroughly reviewing the facts of your case to determine whether the conduct gives rise to civil claims, criminal charges, or both.
- Civil lawsuits allow victims to pursue monetary damages and other relief directly against the wrongdoer.
- Criminal prosecutions are brought by government prosecutors. In some cases, victims may also be entitled to restitution, punitive damages, attorneyâs fees, and other remedies.
Pursuing a lawsuit is a serious process that requires time, evidence, and close collaboration with your legal team. Our role is to guide you through each step, explain your options clearly, and aggressively pursue the remedies available under the law.