Every resident of Florida and the United States is granted certain civil rights under the U.S. Constitution and federal and state laws. These rights guarantee equal protection and social and economic opportunities regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics.
If you have been denied full and equal participation in our society, a Jacksonville civil rights lawyer from Cruz Law Firm, P.A. can help you seek justice. Our attorneys have nearly two decades of combined legal experience and have taken more than 100 civil rights cases to court. We know first-hand what it takes to uphold the rights of hardworking people in Jacksonville and across the Florida panhandle.
It can be difficult to take a stand against discrimination, but The Cruz Law Firm is committed to standing for you and doing whatever the law allows to demand justice and accountability for you. Contact Cruz Law today for a confidential legal consultation with a civil rights lawyer in Jacksonville.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Civil Rights Lawyer?
There are several advantages to having a Jacksonville civil rights attorney from Cruz Law on your side, including:
Protecting Your Rights and Seeking Compensation
A civil rights lawyer can help protect you if your rights have been violated. We can determine what remedies are possible in your case and fight to end practices violating the law or provide you with the services or accommodations you need.
In some cases, we can recover compensation for a client who has lost wages or suffered other costs because their rights were violated. In cases of egregious conduct or willful civil rights violations, such as police brutality or an institution’s systemic racial discrimination, responsible parties may be required to pay punitive damages.
Expertise in Civil Rights Law and Navigating Complex Legal Processes
Because numerous federal and state laws establish rights and prohibit certain acts, civil rights claims can be complicated. There are standardized procedures for filing complaints about civil rights violations – and even more processes and procedures if a case goes to court. Many cases revolve around interpretations of previous court decisions, which you or your advocate must know and understand to argue in court or court filings.
If a civil rights complaint is against a government entity, such as in cases of police misconduct, the government typically has specific requirements for making an official complaint within a short time period. Sovereign immunity laws allow state and federal governments to dismiss complaints against them that do not meet strict rules or deadlines.
Emotional Support and Guidance During Difficult Times
Successfully handling all of this requires specialized legal knowledge plus practical experience, which the civil rights attorneys at Cruz Law can provide you. We can start by listening to what you have gone through and then continuing to provide compassionate support and skilled legal representation as we work to make things right for you.
When to Consider Hiring a Civil Rights Lawyer
A Jacksonville civil rights lawyer from Cruz Law can help you if you’ve been denied your rights because of your race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, or another protected characteristic. Cases we handle include:
- Employment Discrimination
- Employee Retaliation
- Sexual Harassment
- Hostile Work Environment
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Violations
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Violations
- National Origin Discrimination
- Pregnancy Discrimination
- Unfair Labor Practices
- Unpaid Wages
- Whistleblower Protection
- Wrongful Termination
- Housing Discrimination
- Denial of Access to Public Accommodations
- False Arrest
- Excessive Use of Force by Law Enforcement
- Illegal Search and Seizure by Law Enforcement
- Inadequate Representation by a Public Defender
You should reach out to a lawyer if you have experienced any violation of your civil or constitutional rights. A violation may include unlawful discrimination, harassment, or abuse involving work, school, businesses, healthcare facilities, public spaces, housing, voting, law enforcement, government services, and more.
How Can I Recover Damages in a Civil Rights Case?
Most civil rights cases lead to a complaint filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the U.S. Department of Justice. This requires the agency to investigate and determine whether discrimination has occurred. If a civil rights law has been violated, the agency will seek to resolve the case through negotiations or mediation to correct the situation with measures you find acceptable. If that doesn’t work, a lawsuit may be required to seek the relief you are entitled to.
A civil rights attorney from Cruz Law Firm can help you file and negotiate a civil rights complaint originating in Jacksonville or elsewhere in Florida. We can also file and aggressively litigate a civil rights lawsuit on your behalf, if necessary.
A lawsuit may demand damages for your:
- Lost wages due to a civil rights violation that prevented you from being hired, promoted, or continuing to work at your job
- Costs and losses, such as job search expenses due to employment discrimination
- Medical expenses, such as for physical injury, counseling, or medication
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience or confinement, such as time held under arrest or in jail
- Humiliation
- Loss of reputation
- Your legal fees and costs
If a lawsuit goes to court and the jury rules in your favor, the jury may also award you punitive damages. This is a payment the jury sets to punish the defendant for intentional violations of your civil rights and to show others that such conduct will not be tolerated.
A civil rights lawsuit may also seek injunctive relief, such as being reinstated to your job or being allowed to secure housing, instead of or in addition to damages.
Hire a Reputable Civil Rights Lawyer in Jacksonville Today
It may seem intimidating to fight back when your rights have been violated, but civil rights laws are in place to protect you when you do. A Jacksonville civil rights attorney from Cruz Law Firm, P.A. will stand with you. We can help you hold an employer, landlord, school, healthcare provider, business, public official, and others accountable by filing a civil rights claim – and, if necessary, pursuing a lawsuit for you seeking justice.
Empower yourself with the experienced legal representation we have delivered for many hardworking Florida residents like you who are glad they engaged the Cruz Law Firm. We have recovered over $15 million for our deserving clients, including a $1 million verdict for race discrimination and retaliation. Past clients say our civil rights attorneys are “extremely knowledgeable and [work] hard to advocate and fight for you and your best interest.”
Find out how we can provide the personal support and legal assistance you need during this difficult time. Contact Cruz Law Firm today for a confidential consultation about your legal rights.