Excessive force in jail is a reality. Police officers and jail guards wield tremendous power. It is a power given to them by us—the people. We the people give government agents the power to take a person out of his or her home, or car, or off the street. We give them the power to […]
Obtaining punitive damages in a civil rights case should be a goal in every lawsuit where a police officer acted maliciously or in reckless disregard of a person’s civil rights. Victims of civil rights violations are eligible to receive various forms of monetary damages. One form of damages is called “economic damages.” Economic damages represent […]
Prone restraint by police can cause asphyxiation, leading to serious injury or death. Restraining a person face-down can be a recipe for tragedy—particularly when it involves putting pressure on the upper back, shoulders, neck or head of the person being restrained. When police “pile on” to someone’s upper body—pushing him or her into the ground […]
Alcoholism is a disease, and jail deaths due to alcohol withdrawal are all too common but entirely avoidable. In the United States, approximately 1 out of every 12 adults is alcohol dependent. Alcohol dependence does not just mean that someone likes to drink alcohol or has difficulty resisting temptation. Rather, a person who is truly […]
Wrongful death in police custody occurs too often. The lawyers at Budge & Heipt handle in-custody wrongful death cases against police and jails or prisons. When someone dies in police custody, family members are often left to find answers on their own. Why did a loved one die? What were the facts and circumstances surrounding […]
Drug withdrawal in prison can be fatal, particularly when it involves withdrawal from Benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines (sometimes called “benzos” for short) are a class of drugs that are sometimes used to treat anxiety, insomnia, agitation, and other conditions. Commonly-prescribed benzos include Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, and their generic equivalents (e.g., alprazolam, clonezepam, diazepam, lorazepam, etc.). Benzos […]
If you or a loved one has been a victim of serious injury and/or death at the hands of police or in jail or prison, tell us about your case.