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If you believe a company, individual, or agency violated your civil rights in Ann Arbor, MI, our attorneys are here to help. Our Ann Arbor civil rights lawyer knows how these instances occur and how damaging they can be. Let us help you hold the at-fault party accountable and protect your rights.
Our Christensen Law Ann Arbor personal injury lawyer is interested in getting justice. We will spare no resources to get you the results you need and deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We will listen to what happened to you and explain your legal options based on the information you provide.
Our Ann Arbor Civil Rights Lawyers Pride Ourselves on Listening to Our Clients
At Christensen Law, we not only ask for your side of the story, but we truly hear it. We take the time to listen to you and understand what you are going through due to a violation of your civil rights. We believe it is important for you to tell your story and for it to be heard. We are here to protect you and secure the justice you deserve.
We put our client’s needs first. We will use our knowledge, experience, and resources to ensure you get the money and justice you need after an accident. You can feel confident that we will aggressively pursue the compensation you need after a violation of your civil rights. We prepare each case like we will need to take it in front of a judge and jury, although this is not always necessary. We often reach a settlement in these cases.
We have been handling cases and securing significant awards and settlements for our clients since 1991. We represent all clients based on contingency. You should not have to pay money upfront to have the legal representation you deserve during an Ann Arbor civil rights violation case.
What Types of Cases Will an Ann Arbor Civil Rights Lawyer Handle?
Our attorneys take on cases where our clients experience physical, emotional, or financial losses because of a civil rights violation. Civil rights are guaranteed and protected by state and federal laws, including the U.S. Constitution.
Civil rights violations can occur in many ways. Often, they occur when someone experiences discrimination in employment, education, housing, policing, or another public service.
Most Civil Rights Violations Stem from Discrimination
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), most civil rights complaints stem from issues related to color, race, or ethnicity. Under federal law, including the Constitution and the following acts, a number of protected classes emerge.
- The Federal Civil Rights Act
- The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
Federally, the protected classes include:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity
- National origin
- Age, for those aged 40 and up
- Disability
- Genetic information
According to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the protected classes in Michigan add several categories to this list. They include:
- Arrest record
- Height
- Weight
- Marital status
Cases Our Civil Rights Team Takes
Discrimination against a protected class could happen in many ways. Some types of cases our Ann Arbor civil rights lawyers might take on include:
- Racial profiling
- Police brutality or excessive force
- Prisoner rights
- False arrest and wrongful imprisonment
- Privacy infringement
- Barriers to employment or housing
- Immigration rights
- Sexual assault based on sex, gender, or LGBTQIA+ status
- School negligence and discrimination
- Free speech and assembly
- Barriers to voting rights and voter suppression
- Hate crimes
- Abuse of power
- Wrongful termination
- Deliberate indifference and failure to provide medical care
Ann Arbor Also Has Strong Non-Discrimination Laws
In addition to federal and state laws that protect victims’ rights against discrimination, Ann Arbor provides its own protections based on Chapter 112 of Title IX, Non-discrimination of the City’s Code of Ordinances. This law offers protections beyond the state and federal laws. The protected classes include:
- Actual or perceived age
- Educational association
- Familial status
- Family responsibilities
- Gender expression and identity
- Government-issued identification card
- HIV status
- Political beliefs
- Source of income
- Veteran status
- Victims of domestic violence or stalking
The city has also taken numerous steps to reduce the instances of discrimination, including:
- Limiting the use of facial recognition technology
- Strengthening Fair Chance Hiring Practices by eliminating criminal background checks for some jobs
- Eliminating pretextual traffic stops
- Passing the Fair Chance Housing Ordinance, which helps previously incarcerated individuals
- Prohibiting against race-based hair discrimination
- Considering gender expression and sexuality as a protected class
- Protecting youth from conversion therapy
- Implementing ‘anonymous hiring’ for city jobs
While Ann Arbor is taking discrimination in the city seriously, that does not mean these issues do not occur. Our attorneys can help you protect your rights and fight for justice if your civil rights are violated.
Contact us and let our team evaluate your legal options for free today. We provide these free consultations because we believe it is important that you understand your rights and have someone by your side to advocate for you when they are violated.
What Types of Damages Can an Ann Arbor Civil Rights Lawyer Recover for Me?
Following a civil rights violation, we get justice for our clients by seeking compensation for the full range of damages they suffered. How much we might recover depends entirely on the strength and circumstances of the case. Each case is unique, and each individual affected incurs their own expenses, losses, and damages.
These payouts could range from a few thousand dollars to multi-million-dollar recoveries. The types of potentially recoverable damages include:
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages cover the expenses and losses you experienced. This could include hospital bills if you suffered physical injuries, lost income if you endured wrongful termination, or a wide range of other costs.
Emotional Distress
Often, the emotional turmoil and anguish caused by civil rights violations and discrimination are worse than the financial effects. We seek compensation for our clients based on their intangible losses, too.
Court and Legal Fees
We often request that the defendant pay any legal fees associated with the case. If they had not violated our client’s civil rights, they would not need to hire a lawyer or pay the court fees to get justice. Therefore, the liable party should cover all associated costs.
Exemplary Damages
Some states award punitive damages to penalize defendants whose behavior was particularly bad and hurtful. Michigan law does not allow punitive damages to punish wrongdoing. However, exemplary damages are possible in a civil rights case in Michigan.
Under case law, Kewin v. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, individuals can receive exemplary damages when the defendant acted with particularly bad intent. Our team can pursue this form of damages if we think your case warrants exemplary damages.
When Should I Hire an Ann Arbor Civil Rights Attorney from Christensen Law
Working with our civil rights lawyers means you have experience on your side. We have handled similar cases and helped our clients get justice. We are ready to go to work for you. The earlier you hire an Ann Arbor civil rights lawyer from our team, the sooner we can begin:
- Gathering documents and developing the evidence to support your case
- Building a compelling argument to maximize your payout
- Protecting your rights and countering any tactics from the defendants that could weaken your case
Timelines for taking action against an agency or company that violated your civil rights are typically very tight, depending on the nature of the violation. You might only have a few months to file your complaint. Often, the deadline is 180 days—roughly six months—from the date the violation occurred.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Complaint Based on a Civil Rights Violation?
How long you may have to file this type of complaint depends on many factors. This includes how the violation occurred and its basis. For example, imagine you worked for a company and took time away to marry your same-sex partner. Once you returned, your employer terminated your employment. You believe it is because they learned of your LGBTQIA+ status.
In this situation, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission needs to receive your complaint within 180 days. However, you could have up to 300 days if the state or local laws also offer protection against this type of discrimination. This can make it difficult to determine the filing deadline in your case.
The best thing to do is reach out to our Ann Arbor civil rights attorneys as soon as you believe your rights are violated. This allows us to assess the case and determine the correct timeline and the best options for you. It is important to note that these deadlines often do not pause for you to attempt to settle your case through arbitration, mediation, union grievance processes, or internal procedures.
Contact Our Ann Arbor Civil Rights Team About Your Case Today
Christensen Law offers free consultations for individuals who believe their civil rights were violated and they endured physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result. Our Ann Arbor civil rights lawyer will fight for justice on your behalf.
Contact us today to get started with your free, confidential consultation.
