Let Us Fight for Your Rights

The United States Constitution guarantees certain civil rights when you are on American soil. These rights are guaranteed even if you are a tourist or entered the country without documentation. Carpenter & Zuckerman can help you defend your civil rights in court if someone violates them.

Our California civil rights lawyers are here to help you understand the fundamentals of your constitutional rights and what you can do if someone infringes on them, especially if the government violates your civil rights. You can demand justice and compensation through a claim or lawsuit. As trusted attorneys in California communities, we would be honored to help you fight for your rights.

Call us at (310) 273-1230 to learn more and request a free case review.

Different Civil Rights Violations

The Constitution and its amendments grant many different civil rights. Any action that violates or interferes with one of those rights can be considered a civil rights violation. However, most civil rights cases we handle involve violations enacted by a government officer, agent, or administration.

Common Examples of Civil Rights Violations Include:

• Police brutality or excessive force
• Unlawful searches and seizures
• Inmate or prisoner abuses
• Free speech violations

Discrimination Against a Protected Class

Federal law recognizes several protected classes, which cannot be the basis of any discrimination or penalty. On top of federal law, California law recognizes several other protected classes. If you face discrimination based on your protected class, you might have grounds to file a civil rights violation claim or lawsuit.

Protected Classes* Recognized by California Include:

• Age (over 40)
• Ancestry
• Color
• Creed (protected from illegal discrimination by employers)
• Disability (mental and physical, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and genetic characteristics)
• Gender identity & expression
• Genetic information
• Marital status
• Medical conditions (including genetic characteristics and cancer/history of cancer)
• Military or veteran status
• National origin (including language use and possession of a driver’s license issued to a person unable to provide their presence in the United States)
• Parental status
• Race
• Religion (including religious dress and grooming practices)
• Requests for family care leave
• Requests for leave due to an employee’s own serious health condition
• Requests for Pregnancy Disability leave
• Retaliation for reporting patient abuse in tax-supported institutions
• Sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions)
• Sexual orientation

*Source: California State Senate

How a Civil Rights Case Can Help

Your rights are worth protecting and respecting. Let our California civil rights lawyers evaluate whether you can pursue a civil rights claim based on what you have experienced and endured. If so, your case could result in several beneficial outcomes.

A civil rights lawsuit can make a positive difference by securing:

• Compensation: You may be eligible for compensation for what you endured. The types of compensation available will depend on the specifics of your claim. For example, if you faced discrimination, you might be awarded punitive damages used to penalize the defendant. On the other hand, if you were a victim of police brutality, then your compensation could include the cost of necessary medical treatments.
• Closure: Moving beyond the harm caused by a civil rights violation may seem difficult now, but it can feel much more possible if your case resolves in your favor. Take the first step towards closure by exploring whether to file a claim with Carpenter & Zuckerman’s counsel.
• Social Justice: Your civil rights case could be the legal catalyst for meaningful change and protections for countless others in similar situations, not just in California. Never underestimate the power of speaking up for yourself to change society for the better.

Schedule a Free Consultation:

Our California civil rights attorneys have the necessary experience, resources, and tenacity to file claims against the government, corporations, and other powerful defendants. If you experience a civil rights violation, contact the experienced attorneys at Carpenter & Zuckerman. Our legal team can investigate the specifics of your situation, evaluate whether you have legal grounds to file a civil rights claim and explain what to do next if you do.