CIVIL RIGHT LAWYERS

Dedicated Civil Rights Lawyers Committed to Protecting Victims of Civil Rights Violations in Hudson, Bergen, Essex County and Throughout New Jersey.

Despite the litany of laws that have been enacted over decade to protect the civil rights of Americans, civil rights violations occur with disturbing frequency and in a wide variety of circumstances. For example, if you or a loved one have been shot, sexually assaulted, beaten, detained or searched unlawfully, or denied necessary medical treatment while detained by police or corrections officers, you may have an actionable claim asserting that your civil rights have been violated.

When civil rights violations do occur, the results are almost always serious. Accordingly, special federal and New Jersey laws provide you with specific protections, including the right to sue municipalities, counties, states, the federal government; as well as any employees of these entities, to recover compensatory damages for the harm you have suffered.

At Pagliara Law Group, we understand how frightening, humiliating and angering it can be to have your protected civil rights violated. Our NJ civil rights lawyers vigorously advocate for clients who have been victimized by the police, another governmental entity, or a private entity acting on behalf of the government. The results of a civil rights violation can vary dramatically on a case-by-case basis, often involving a variety of physical, financial and emotional suffering. Regardless of the type of harm that you have suffered, we are here to help you get the compensation that you deserve, both so that you can move forward with your life and so that we can help deter additional civil rights violations from happening in the future.

Variations on Civil Rights Violations Occurring in New Jersey

Civil rights violations in New Jersey most commonly occur when a person, company, or entity discriminates against someone based upon their membership in a protected class, such as because of the person’s:

• Sex
• Race
• Age
• Sexual orientation or identity
• Marital, civil union or domestic partnership status
• National origin
• Religion
• Political views
• Pregnancy
• Disability
• Military status

Civil rights violations stemming from discrimination can happen under an extremely wide array of circumstances, and can include:

• Retaliation for union activities or membership
• Retaliation for the exercise of First Amendment rights
• Employment discrimination
• Racial profiling by police or other law enforcement agencies
• Denial of fair housing rights
• Hate crimes
• Voter interference or suppression
• Violation of your rights while incarcerated
• Denial of opportunities in higher education settings
• False arrest
• Malicious prosecution
• Searches and seizures that violate a person’s constitutional rights

Civil rights violations can even occur when you are prevented from bringing a service animal into an establishment or are refused service in a place that is open to the public because of your membership in a protected class.

We Fight for Justice for Victims of Civil Rights Violations

We stop at nothing to make sure that client receives full and fair compensation to hold the responsible party accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We understand the various laws that protect your civil rights, and may be able to file a lawsuit based upon:

• The New Jersey and U.S. Constitution
• The Bill of Rights
• New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination 
• The Federal Civil Rights Act (Section 1983 claims)

Regardless of the legal basis available, we will fight to ensure you get the maximum amount of compensatory damages possible to compensate for the civil rights violation you have suffered. Available compensation may include:

• Reimbursement for medical expenses if you suffered physical harm,
• Reinstatement to your former employment position if the civil rights violation involved employment discrimination,
• Financial compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the event or events,
• Lost wages or earning potential,
• Any out-of-pocket expenses you suffered as a result of the civil rights violation, including attorneys’ fees,
• Punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer for his or her actions.

Because it can be difficult to prove that your civil rights were violated, you need an aggressive civil rights lawyer by your side to vigorously advocate on your behalf to get the compensation you deserve.  

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation Now with a Aggressive and Relentless Lawyer.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Civil Rights Cases

I believe that my civil rights were violated by a police officer. Are there any special time limits that I need to be aware of in filing a civil rights claim?

Yes; you are required to file your lawsuit within two years of the date that the civil rights violation occurred.

Why do I need a lawyer to help protect my civil rights when so many state and federal laws exist to prohibit civil rights violations?

The advice of a skilled civil rights lawyer can be critical to the success of your case. First, adherence to the formal requirements and timelines is critical; failure to observe these formal requirements will result in your case being dismissed without ever addressing the merits of your claim. Additionally, the legal analysis applicable to each civil rights case is complex and not always intuitive. Also, evidence in support of your claim is not always clear, which requires an experienced civil rights attorney not only to analyze the available evidence and formulate a strategy to maximize your chances of success but also to anticipate and rebut the defenses that will be offered by the defendant. These are just some of the reasons an experienced and skilled civil rights lawyer is necessary to the success of a civil rights claim

Can refusing to allow me to breastfeed my child give rise to a claim for a civil rights violation?

Yes. New Jersey laws permit mothers to breastfeed in any public establishment where the mother is allowed. A private lawsuit can be filed under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. Further, the NJLAD protects mothers who use a breast pump to produce milk for later breastfeeding in the workplace.