Victims of violence at the hands of the cops may be able to pursue compensation by filing a Chicago police lawsuit. In police negligence cases, the plaintiff (or victim) must prove that the police breached their duty of care and caused plaintiff’s injuries. Chicago police injury attorneys may help you understand your legal rights and file a claim on your behalf. In a lawsuit, lawyers against police advocate for those who suffer from Chicago police misconduct injuries.
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2013 Chicago Police Lawsuit
The City of Chicago has agreed to pay $22.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a mentally ill woman – one of the largest settlements to a single plaintiff in Chicago history. The plaintiff, Christina Eilman, was arrested, held overnight, and subsequently released into a high-crime neighborhood. Eilman was kidnapped and sexually assaulted before falling from a seventh-floor window of a Chicago Housing Authority high-rise.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, as a result of the fall, Eilman suffered a devastating brain injury and several broken bones, including a shattered pelvis. She requires around-the-clock medical care and lives with her parents in California.
City officials initially denied liability, stating that Eilman appeared to be coherent at the time of her release. Subsequent information included evidence to the contrary. The testimony of several police officers in sworn depositions indicated that there were visible signs of the plaintiff’s metal illness. Testimony also revealed that a supervisor had ordered officers to take the plaintiff to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation, but that there was no vehicle available to do so. Additional information revealed that the police ignored frantic telephone calls from Eilman’s parents and released the plaintiff – who was 21 years old at the time – in a high-crime area without assistance.
Like most personal injury lawsuits, the plaintiff’s lawsuit centered on the Chicago police department’s alleged negligence. In fact, a federal appeals’ court cited the “cavalier disregard that Chicago Police officers exhibited for Eilman’s safety before her release.”
What Plaintiffs Need to Prove in Police Negligence Cases
In order to be successful in a personal injury lawsuit based on negligence, a plaintiff must prove that :
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care,
- The defendant failed to uphold that duty,
- The plaintiff suffered injuries or damages as a result of the defendant’s misconduct, and
- The defendant’s misconduct was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries or damages.
Compensation for Chicago Police Misconduct Injuries
Victims of Chicago police misconduct injuries may have a claim against the police. The types of personal injury damages available to them include compensation for:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
- Punitive damages (in rare circumstances)
The best way to maximize your chances of winning a personal injury lawsuit is to hire Chicago police injury attorneys. Because of the
If you believe that you have been the victim of negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages. It is highly recommended that you seek the advice and counsel of a skilled personal injury attorney. The Chicago personal injury lawyers at Ankin Law focus on representing the victims of personal injury accidents and other torts, such as auto accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, slip and fall accidents, unsafe pharmaceuticals, and toxic tort litigation.
As a Chicago law firm dedicated to personal injury lawsuits, we have the capacity and resources to provide the optimal legal representation. If you or a loved one has been injured in a personal injury accident, contact one of our skilled Chicago personal injury attorneys to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and remedies.
