Police Brutality Lawyer in Columbus
Police Misconduct Attorneys Fighting for Victims of Excessive Force Throughout Ohio
When a police officer uses more force than the situation requires—or when someone is seriously injured or killed during a law enforcement encounter—the law provides a path to accountability. But these cases are complicated, the deadlines are unforgiving, and the legal obstacles can be more challenging than in other types of personal injury cases.
At Cooper Elliott, our police brutality attorneys in Columbus have handled civil rights cases for decades. We are one of a few firms in Ohio with a genuine track record of results in this area, and we know how to navigate the legal hurdles that stop other firms from taking these cases on.
If you or someone you love was seriously injured or killed during an encounter with law enforcement anywhere in Ohio, contact us today for a free consultation.
When Does Excessive Force Become a Civil Rights Violation?
Police officers are permitted to use force in certain circumstances. What they are not permitted to do is use more force than the situation requires. When they do, it’s a violation of your constitutional rights—and it can be the basis for a civil claim.
Here’s what we typically see:
An officer shoots or seriously injures someone who was not resisting, not fleeing, and posed no threat.
A person in custody is beaten, choked, or subjected to force far beyond what was necessary to restrain them.
Someone dies in jail or prison because they were denied medical care they urgently needed.
An officer uses force during an arrest for a minor offense in circumstances that clearly did not warrant it.
A department with a known pattern of misconduct fails to discipline officers or change its policies—and someone gets hurt as a result.
Whatever happened, you don’t have to figure out on your own whether you have a case. That’s what we’re here for.
What Sets Cooper Elliott Apart
Most personal injury firms don’t handle civil rights cases. The legal issues are different, the defendants are government entities and their employees, and the immunity questions alone can derail a case that hasn’t been carefully evaluated from the start. We’ve been doing this work long enough to know what a strong case looks like—and to have an honest conversation when the obstacles are too significant to overcome.
If you’ve done any research on police brutality or excessive force cases, you’ve probably come across the term qualified immunity. It’s a legal doctrine that protects officers from civil liability in certain circumstances—and it’s the most common obstacle we encounter in excessive force litigation. We know the ins and outs of qualified immunity, we know how to fight against it, and we position every case from day one with that issue in mind. We also have a track record of assessing these cases accurately, which means we won’t send you through years of litigation only to hit an immunity ruling that ends the case before trial.
In a police brutality or excessive force case, the lawsuit itself is filed against the individual officer or officers who committed the misconduct. But in most cases, the city or county that employs them can be responsible for paying the damages. In some cases—particularly where a department had a policy or custom that led to the constitutional violation—we can also bring a separate claim directly against the government agency. We know how to identify all of the right defendants and structure the case to maximize your recovery.
We are one of the handful of firms in Ohio with good trial results in civil rights cases specifically. That matters, because the government agencies and insurance carriers on the other side of these cases know which firms will push a case to verdict, and that reputation affects how your case is handled from the first demand letter. When you’re looking for a Columbus lawyer for police brutality who will actually take your case to trial if that’s what it takes, our track record speaks for itself.
You don’t pay unless we win. We cover all upfront litigation costs, and there are no surprise bills. We only get paid when you do.
Our Big Wins
$750+ Million
Recovered for Our Clients
What to Expect When You Work With Our Police Brutality Attorneys in Columbus
We’ll listen to what happened, ask about the encounter, the injuries, and any documentation that exists or might exist. We’ll give you an honest answer about whether you have a viable claim, including a conversation about qualified immunity if that’s likely to be an issue. There’s no obligation and no cost.
Evidence in police brutality cases can be time-sensitive. Body camera footage, in particular, can take months to obtain—especially in larger jurisdictions like Columbus. We act quickly to preserve and request the evidence we need, including body cam footage, dashcam footage, incident reports, and any prior complaints against the officers involved.
We look at all of the circumstances—the nature of the encounter, what force was used, whether there was a criminal case and how it resolved, what policies the department had in place, and whether there’s a pattern of prior misconduct. This evaluation shapes how we build the case and who we name as defendants.
Civil rights cases involve immunity questions and procedural hurdles that don’t exist in standard personal injury cases. We handle all of that—and we keep you informed throughout so you understand where things stand and why.
Some of these cases resolve through settlement. Others go to trial. Either way, we prepare every case as if a jury is going to decide it—because sometimes they do, and because that preparation is what drives fair outcomes at the negotiating table.
Recognition & Results
The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
Recognition for excellence in trial advocacy and client representation.
U.S. News & World Report – Tier 1
Ranked in the region for personal injury litigation.
Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Fewer than 1% of lawyers are members of this elite group of attorneys.
30 Years of Experience
Serving clients since 1995 with a track record of holding powerful opponents accountable.
Verified Peer Ratings
Research our firm and attorneys on martindale.com and superlawyers.com.
Common Questions About Police Brutality Cases
It depends on the circumstances. The outcome of a criminal case doesn’t automatically determine whether you have a viable excessive force claim. If you were stopped for a minor offense and an officer used force that clearly wasn’t warranted (regardless of whether you were ultimately convicted), you may still have a claim. These situations are fact-specific and genuinely complex. The most important thing is to talk to an attorney before assuming you don’t have options.
Not always—and waiting can actually cost you your claim. Some excessive force cases can be pursued before a criminal case concludes. Others require you to wait. The problem is that if you wait when you don’t need to, you can run out of time. We’ve seen people lose valid claims because they assumed they had to wait and the statute of limitations expired. Contact us as soon as possible so we can evaluate your specific situation.
Deadlines in civil rights cases are complicated, and they vary depending on the specific facts of your situation. In some cases, the clock starts running sooner than you’d expect. In others, it depends on the outcome of a related criminal case. Don’t try to calculate the deadline yourself. Contact us as early as possible so we can evaluate your situation and make sure your rights are protected.
The lawsuit is filed against the individual officer or officers who committed the misconduct. However, in most cases, the city or county that employs them is responsible for paying any damages. In cases where the misconduct stems from a departmental policy or pattern of behavior, we may also bring a separate claim against the agency itself. We evaluate all of this at the outset of every case.
Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine that can shield officers from liability in certain circumstances. It’s a real obstacle in civil rights litigation, but it doesn’t automatically mean you don’t have a case. Whether qualified immunity applies depends on the specific facts of what happened. We assess this carefully at the beginning of every case and have a track record of accurately predicting when it will and won’t be a significant hurdle.
Damages in police brutality cases typically include compensation for physical injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma. In cases involving wrongful death, families may be entitled to pursue wrongful death claims for the full financial and emotional impact of their loss. In some cases, punitive damages may also be available, though they’re more difficult to obtain under state law than under federal civil rights statutes.
The officer’s characterization of what happened is not the final word. Body camera footage, witness accounts, dashcam video, and physical evidence often tell a very different story. We investigate thoroughly and don’t take the government’s version of events at face value.
Civil rights cases involve legal obstacles that most personal injury firms have never encountered. Qualified immunity alone can end a case before it ever gets to trial—and knowing how to evaluate that risk from the start requires specific experience. As an experienced police brutality lawyer in Columbus, we’ve handled these cases for decades and are one of the handful of firms in Ohio with a real track record of results in civil rights litigation specifically.
Testimonials
in the legal profession. That means everything to us.
I was involved in a serious car accident after just having welcoming our new son into the world.
When you are at your lowest, you remember with great detail how people treat you. Sean and his team treated me and my family with nothing but compassion, grace and care.
The stress, anxiety, and fear were only mitigated by the EXTRAORDINARY passion, care, and speed this firm operates at.
A huge thank you to Sean Alto with his incredible professionalism. I never once felt that Sean and the team at Cooper Elliot had anything other than my best interest.
Thank you Cooper Elliot for being a light during a very challenging time.
Talk to a Police Brutality Lawyer in Columbus for Free
If you or someone you love was seriously injured or killed during an encounter with law enforcement in Columbus or anywhere in Ohio, don’t wait.
Call (614) 481-6000 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation with a Columbus police misconduct lawyer. We represent clients throughout Ohio.