The police are meant to protect you, but they’re not beyond making mistakes. They might serve the law, but that doesn’t mean they’re above it. So, if you’ve been affected physically, mentally or financially by police negligence, you could be owed compensation.
Making a compensation claim against the police
The police should always follow the standards of professional behaviour noted in the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012. They have a duty to protect the wellbeing of the public. But what happens if they injure, traumatise or damage the property of the very public they’re meant to serve?
It might seem like a scary concept to go up against the police when it comes to seeking compensation, but they are just as liable as anyone else. With the right representation and legal experts behind you, your justice won’t be far away.
Who can make a police claim?
Anyone that believes the police have been negligent, made a mistake or acted in a way that has caused harm can bring forward a claim for compensation. If you feel that the police have caused you any suffering, you may be entitled to this. However, you must have evidence to back your claim up. Without this, your case will be much harder to win.
What types of incidents can I bring a claim against the police for?
There are a whole range of situations that class as the police overstepping the bounds of their power, showing negligence or causing distress, including:
- Being subjected to mental or emotional distress.
- Being subjected to unnecessary physical violence.
- Being subjected to restraint or assault on your person by a member of the police force.
- An officer misusing a weapon, such as a baton.
- Discrimination, harassment or abuse related to race, gender or sexual orientation.
- False imprisonment.
- Accidents caused by police vehicles.
- Claims by a victim’s family members if the victim has died in police custody.
- Wrongful arrest.
If you’ve encountered any of these things, or something else related to police negligence, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
How can I make a compensation claim against the police?
The first thing to do when making a claim against the police is to gather as much evidence of their mishandling or negligence as possible. If it happened in a public place, pursue CCTV footage, witness testimonies and any injury book reports if available. Then, come to us.
At Injury Lawyers 4U, we’ve got the experience and expertise needed to take on the police. Our fully qualified team will assist you in gathering evidence, give you an idea of how much compensation you may receive and spearhead the fight for your retribution. It doesn’t matter whether the claim relates to an assault, an accident or a miscarriage of justice, we’re here for you.
What is the Independent Police Claims Commission (IPCC)?
The IPCC is an independent body that deals with complaints relating to the actions of the police. You can use the IPCC to report police misconduct and to get an explanation of why certain incidents occurred. We’ll help you with contacting the IPCC as they can help to provide key evidence that can be used in our case.
What’s the process when making a compensation claim against the police?
This is our step-by-step guide to the process of making a claim against the police.
1. Determine the reason for your claim
Identify the incident you’re making a claim about and whether it caused mental, physical or financial harm.
2. Gather evidence
Get as much evidence to back up your claim as possible, such as witness statements, CCTV footage and accident reports.
3. Seek legal advice
Come to Injury Lawyers 4U to start your claim.
4. File a complaint with the police
Talk to the IPCC to begin your official complaint.
5. Await the outcome
The police will investigate your complaint and may offer compensation before any legal action has to be taken.
6. Plan the next steps
Discuss the next steps with us and we’ll begin to plan our legal battle if the complaint has not been resolved satisfactorily.
7. Negotiations
This is the time to negotiate a settlement before pressing on with a legal battle. We’ll handle this for you if necessary, as negotiations can be intimidating.
8. Issuing court proceedings
If negotiations fail to amount to a satisfactory settlement, we’ll start the process of taking the police to court.
9. Going to court
This is where it’s decided whether or not your case will go to trial.
9. Trial
Here, we will represent you and your case and present the evidence we have gathered to the court. A judge will make a decision on whether or not you receive compensation for the miscarriage of justice.
We can lead you through this process and make sure you are aware of what is needed at each stage. If it’s also necessary to involve the Independent Police Claims Commission or establish medical evidence, we can manage this for you. In addition, we can let you know if you may also have grounds for a criminal injury claim.
If successful, you will receive justice for the wrongdoings of the police through compensation. We’ll also be on hand to ensure this compensation is paid.
What are the time limits for making a claim against the police?
Claims against the police in the UK have a few time limits depending on the severity of the claim. If you’re claiming compensation after wrongful imprisonment then you have a strict time limit of six years.
However, if you’re pursuing a personal injury claim, this is the standard limit of three years from when the incident took place. And, if you’re under 18 years old when injured and haven’t yet made a claim, you have until your 21st birthday.
How are actions against the police funded?
At Injury Lawyers 4U, we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, so you won’t have to worry about funding your quest for justice against the police. We’ll only charge you for our services after we win compensation, and our fee will usually come out of that payment.
What are the next steps for making a claim against the police?
If you believe there may be grounds for compensation after an incident with the police, then it’s time to get in touch with Injury Lawyers 4U. We’ve handled these types of claims for many years, helping our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
So if the worst has happened and your faith in the legal system has been shaken, let us restore your trust and win you the compensation you could be owed. Contact us via our quick contact form. Alternatively, you can phone us directly on 0333 400 4445.
Frequently asked questions
What if the police deny wrongdoing?
If the police deny wrongdoing, we can still help you pursue a compensation claim through the courts. We will gather evidence, present your case, and challenge the police’s version of events.
Can I claim compensation for emotional distress?
You can claim compensation for emotional distress and psychological harm caused by police misconduct. Medical reports from a psychologist can support your claim for emotional distress.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Depending on how involved you were in the accident itself, it is still possible to make a claim. Your level of involvement will be analysed by a legal professional to see what we can do before diving into the claim fully.
Can I claim compensation for loss of reputation?
If police misconduct has damaged your reputation, you can claim compensation for defamation and any resulting financial or personal losses.
