If you or someone you love has suffered harm at the hands of the Seattle police, you are not alone. Area cops have a long history of abusing their badge.
At one point, things got so bad the federal government stepped in to try and get the Seattle Police Department to act right. While some changes have been made, there are still far too many people who suffer harm at the hands of those who are supposed to protect and serve us.
At Stritmatter Law, we stand with victims of police violence. Though the system may seem stacked against you, there are legal tools and protections available under both Washington state law and federal law that can help you pursue justice and hold those who have harmed you accountable, and we are ready to help you access them.
What Is Police Brutality?
While the most dramatic acts of police brutality often end up on the news, there are many more victims who suffer in silence. Some victims don’t even realize the poor treatment they endured could serve as the basis for a legal claim against the police.
Police brutality is defined broadly, and includes things like:
- Excessive or unjustified use of force
- Injuries suffered during arrests
- Using dangerous knee-on-neck or neck restraints
- Unnecessary use of weapons like tasers or batons
- Improper use of pepper spray or tear gas – including at peaceful protests or in confined spaces where people cannot safely retreat
- Racial profiling or biased treatment
- Using fists, batons, or other weapons to beat individuals who are already restrained, handcuffed, or compliant.
- Denial of medical care while in custody
- Sexual assault or harassment while in custody
- Failure to intervene when one officer witnesses another using excessive force or otherwise engaging in police brutality
- Overuse of force on people with disabilities or mental health conditions
- Retaliation for recording or speaking out
If you’ve experienced any of these, you may be able to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for the harm you suffered. Both federal and state law protect people from police misconduct and allow victims to sue if they are a victim of it. Stritmatter Law has a long history of helping Seattle residents bring these lawsuits, and we have been successful at it. During our decades in practice we have recovered millions of dollars for victims of police brutality.
What to Do If You’ve Been Harmed by Police in Seattle
If you’ve experienced police brutality, and you want to hold those who harmed you accountable, there are a few steps you can take to strengthen your case:
- Seek Medical Attention: If the harm you suffered was physical, you should get checked out even if your injuries seem minor. These medical records can be critical evidence in a future lawsuit.
- Document Everything: Write down what happened, including dates, names, badge numbers, witnesses, and what you experienced. You may think you will remember the details of what happened to you forever, but the details will tend to fade from your memory over time. Preserving that information is key.
- Preserve Evidence: Take photos of injuries, damaged property, and anything else that might support your case. Keep these unedited photos in a secure location so they are not lost and you can prove they are not AI generated.
- Talk to a Lawyer: If you are at all interested in taking legal action, reach out to an attorney right away. You may have a limited time to take legal action, and you may have to jump through a few hoops before heading to the courthouse. The experienced team at Stritmatter Law can explain your options and help you seek justice.
Real Justice for Real People
When the very people the system has tasked with protecting you are the ones you need protection from, Stritmatter Law is here to help. We have a long history of standing up to powerful institutions and helping real people find justice. Police brutality cases are not easy, but we believe in holding law enforcement accountable—because no one is above the law.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of police violence in Seattle, reach out today. We’ll listen. We’ll believe you. And we’ll fight for you.
