Holding government entities and corporations responsible
A catastrophic injury; the death of a loved one; being victimized by the powerful: we fight against injustices like these every day, and we represent regular people when they have been wronged.
Our civil practice includes the following areas:
- Wrongful death and excessive force by government actors
- Police shootings
- Death and injury in custody
- Wrongful conviction
- Wrongful arrest and incarceration
- Medical neglect and failure to protect in jail.
- Discrimination against protected classes
Civil matters are almost always performed on a contingency-fee basis, which means that we only earn a fee and collect costs after successfully recovering a settlement or verdict for your case.
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San Diego, California Civil Rights Lawyers
McKenzie Scott PC is dedicated to fighting for those whose civil rights have been violated. In the United States, laws protecting individual civil rights are in place to preserve your ability to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Civil rights laws are embedded in:
- The U.S. Constitution
- The Bill of Rights
- Federal and State Laws
Some of the protections afforded to individuals under civil rights laws include:
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of assembly
- Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of protest
- The right to petition the government
- The right to procedural due process
- The right to an attorney
- The right to equal protection
Individuals whose civil rights have been violated may wish to pursue justice through a civil lawsuit with McKenzie Scott. Our civil rights lawyers are dedicated justice warriors, with decades of experience fighting for the little guy against government, corporate, and individual violators.
What are Civil Rights Laws?
Civil rights laws are in place to help protect individuals from discrimination and unfair treatment. Whether you’ve been victimized by abuse, fraud, or discrimination (based on race, religion, national origin, etc.), civil rights laws are established to help ensure that you have recourse. Civil rights are often referred to when discussing civil liberties – freedoms granted to all U.S. citizens under the Bill of Rights. But while civil rights laws are in place to protect you from violations committed by individuals or private entities/corporations, civil liberties actually protect you from violations by government entities.
For example, the 1964 Civil Rights Act is a law established to protect American citizens form being discriminated against due to race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. Moreover, the Americans with Disabilities Act was established to protect individuals with either physical or mental disabilities from being discriminated against in the workplace or commercial establishments.
California Civil Rights Laws
Civil rights are granted to Americans under federal law. In addition, states such as California have enacted laws to further protect citizens from civil rights violations.
Ready to pursue justice for your civil rights violation? Contact the experienced and proven attorneys at McKenzie Scott for a case evaluation at 619-794-0451.
The California Civil Rights Code, for example, includes the Unruh Civil Rights Act, which protects everyone in the Golden State from suffering discrimination by businesses due to race, nationality, religion, disability, age, marital status, sex, gender orientation, etc.
Furthermore, the Unruh Civil Rights Act states that:
All persons within the jurisdiction of this state are free and equal, and no matter what their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, primary language, or immigration status are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever.
And that the law:
… shall not be construed to confer any right or privilege on a person that is conditioned or limited by law or that is applicable alike to persons of every sex, color, race, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, primary language, or immigration status, or to persons regardless of their genetic information.
But California also provides you with further civil rights protections by charging any violators with crimes if their actions have harmed or threatened you.
If your civil rights have been violated, you may file a civil lawsuit. Civil rights lawsuits are separate from any criminal proceedings that may result from an instance of discrimination or another type of violation. Moreover, civil lawsuits may be filed regardless of whether or not any criminal charges are filed against a violator.
A civil rights lawyer from McKenzie Scott can review your case and provide legal guidance that will ensure you are properly compensated for any harm endured.
Civil rights violations are often misunderstood, and it can often be difficult to determine whether your specific incident warrants an actual civil lawsuit. But our dedicated and proven attorneys are here to answer any questions you have and ensure you get the justice you deserve.
What are Some Examples of Civil Rights Violations?
Civil rights violations can take many forms. For example, police misconduct, brutality, or in-custody deaths are common examples of civil rights violations. However, a landlord refusing a tenant housing due to race or religion is another example of a civil rights violation that would warrant a lawsuit.
Furthermore, sexual assault or harassment by an employer or superior is another common example of a civil rights violation. Additionally, physical assaults because of one’s sexual orientation or religion constitute civil rights violations.
Need to speak to a civil rights lawyer? McKenzie Scott fights for the little guy. Contact us for a case evaluation at 619-794-0451.
How Long Do I Have to File a Civil Rights Lawsuit?
If you’ve experienced a civil rights violation, the California statute of limitations (deadline) for filing a tort claim is often only six months from the date of the incident. This means that if your civil rights have been violated by a state or local law enforcement entity, you typically have only six months from the date of the violation occurring to file a claim and preserve the right to file a civil lawsuit for damages.
Accordingly, the McKenzie Scott team of civil rights lawyers encourages all victims to contact us as soon as possible following a violation to ensure that your opportunity at justice is preserved and your claim is not barred by the statute of limitations.
For federal civil rights claims, the statute of limitations may be longer – sometimes up to two years from the date of an incident. But the Federal Tort Claims Act also has tort-claim requirements that can affect statutes of limitations.
The interplay between tort claims, statutes of limitations, and individual versus government defendants is complex and fact-specific. They also depend on the circumstances of your individual civil rights violation and particular causes of action. Accordingly, the varying nature of federal civil rights claim filing deadlines means you should reach out to the team of attorneys at McKenzie Scott for a case evaluation as soon as possible following your civil rights violation.
Contact the Best Civil Rights Lawyers at McKenzie Scott Today to Discuss Your Case
At McKenzie Scott, our team of social justice warriors has the experience, dedication, and proven results you need. Our civil rights attorneys at have been fighting for decades to protect the little guy, and our results speak for themselves.
Civil matters are almost always performed on a contingency-fee basis, which means that we only earn a fee after successfully recovering a settlement or verdict for your case.
Contact us today at 619-794-0451 for a case evaluation. We represent victims throughout California as well as across the nation.
Case Reviews
“It certainly has not been easy finding a trustworthy, smart, and caring attorney. Tim and his team were angels sent from above. They worked hard and diligently against a very formidable adversary and got his client acquitted. I can’t thank Tim enough. He is now a friend and our family attorney if we ever need one. I highly recommend Tim and his team to anyone needing a great attorney!”