You have civil rights that protect you from discrimination, unequal treatment, and government overreach. When a police department, public agency, school, or employer violates those rights, you may have the ability to bring a claim under federal or Illinois law. Civil rights cases in Chicago often include police misconduct and discrimination in public spaces or workplaces, such as escalating antisemitism on college campuses, among other violations of due process.
If your civil rights were violated, understanding which laws apply to your situation and what evidence will support your claim is key. When you work with us, you’ll have direct access to the attorney handling your case. We make sure that you understand your options and how we’re working to recover compensation on your behalf. Reach out to Levin, Riback & Adelman to discuss your concerns and find out how our Chicago civil rights lawyers can help you demand justice.
Civil rights laws protect you from government abuse, discrimination, and unequal treatment. These laws give you the right to challenge police misconduct, biased decision-making, or actions that interfere with your liberty without a lawful basis. When a police officer, government agency, public school, or employer crosses those boundaries, you may have grounds to bring a claim. Common Chicago civil rights cases include:
Constitutional violations usually involve government actors like:
Statutory discrimination claims may apply to private employers and housing providers. They typically rely on laws that prohibit discriminatory decisions, harassment, or unequal access to opportunities. Both types of cases focus on whether someone in power ignored legal limits and caused you harm.
To find out whether you’ve experienced a civil rights violation and what your legal options may be, contact a Chicago civil rights lawyer at Levin, Riback & Adelman today.
Civil rights cases move through several stages. How your case progresses will depend on the specific facts of your situation. We start every case by reviewing what happened, then determining which laws may apply and whether the evidence supports a federal or state claim.
Next, we independently investigate and gather evidence. Depending on your exact case, your attorney may collect:
When your case involves federal rights, your lawyer will file a complaint in the Northern District of Illinois and begin the federal civil litigation process. This stage includes negotiation with government agencies or private employers to explore whether the case can be resolved without trial.
Pre-trial motions and evidence disputes may follow the initial filing. These issues may involve requests to dismiss claims, arguments about qualified immunity, or debates over what evidence a jury can hear. We always prepare your case for trial, even if we can resolve the issues out of court. This gives every client a strong advantage from the start.
Civil rights cases allow you to pursue several types of damages. You may recover economic losses like medical bills, lost wages, and compensation for emotional harm. Federal law also permits punitive damages in certain claims when the conduct shows reckless or intentional civil rights violations.
Some cases require appeals, especially when the court decides a Constitutional question or limits available claims. If that happens, we’ll evaluate the ruling and advise you on the next steps.
Civil rights violations can be distressing, and many people don’t realize that they could have a valid claim. You should reach out to a civil rights lawyer at Levin, Riback & Adelman whenever you believe a government agency, police department, school, or employer violated your rights. Even if the situation seems minor, early legal intervention can help you understand your options and preserve evidence that may be critical to your claim.
Deadlines can make or break civil rights claims, so call our firm right away. Some of the main time limits include:
Taking early steps can also protect your claim and make it easier for our civil rights lawyers to build a case. You should consider:
Contacting a Chicago civil rights lawyer as soon as possible helps you stay within these deadlines and preserves the evidence needed to support your case.
Many of our clients understand civil rights as a general concept but have questions about the specifics. We know this can be a confusing aspect of the law, which is why we’ve provided the answers to some of the questions we most frequently receive about the topic.
Your specific rights depend on who violated the law and what happened during the incident. Several federal and state laws give you the right to challenge discrimination, police misconduct, or unlawful decisions by government agencies. Common sources of protection include:
Constitutional claims generally apply only when a government actor violated your rights—that means the defendant must be a police officer, correctional employee, government agency, or public school.
However, statutory discrimination claims may apply to private employers, housing providers, or other entities covered by federal or Illinois law. You can bring both types of claims if a situation involves a mix of Constitutional and statutory violations. A Chicago civil rights lawyer from Levin, Riback & Adelman can explain who may be responsible and which laws apply to your case.
Civil rights claims can be vastly different, but successful claims all rely on clear evidence. Useful material often includes items like:
You should keep everything you have and let your attorney determine what supports your claim. Don’t destroy or alter evidence, as that can hurt your case and may lead to criminal charges.
Yes, depending on your specific circumstances. The issue is whether someone violated your civil rights, not whether a criminal charge followed.
The damages you might be entitled to will depend on how the violation affected you. You may recover compensation for financial losses like medical bills and property damage. Some federal claims also allow punitive damages if the conduct was intentional or reckless.
The vast majority of civil rights cases settle before trial. Settlement can happen after an investigation, during negotiations, or after key motions. Some cases move to trial when there are factual disputes or when a defendant refuses to take responsibility. Finally, if the defendant will not agree to a fair settlement, you may take the case to trial to work toward a fair outcome.
Qualified immunity protects government employees from liability—unless they violated a clearly established Constitutional right. Courts decide this issue early in many cases. Denying qualified immunity can move the case toward trial, while granting qualified immunity may limit or end some claims. Your attorney will explain the most likely outcome and possible options.
Yes. Witnesses help, but they aren’t required. Many civil rights cases rely on other types of evidence to prove what happened. You may still have a strong claim even if the only people present were you and the person who violated your rights.
Timelines vary widely depending on the type of claim, the court’s schedule, and whether the case involves complex issues. Some cases are resolved in several months. Federal civil litigation may take longer. We can give you a clearer estimate once we review your case.
Civil rights violations can have lasting effects, but you may have options to hold the perpetrators accountable. Whether you experienced police misconduct, unlawful detention, discrimination at work or school, or another type of rights violation, a focused legal strategy can help you pursue compensation for your losses.
Levin, Riback & Adelman has decades of experience handling complex civil rights claims in Chicago, giving you access to attorneys who understand federal and state law and how to gather and present evidence effectively.
Don’t wait. Contact Levin, Riback & Adelman today to discuss your civil rights concern and take the first step toward pursuing your claim.
The experienced lawyers of Levin, Riback & Adelman, are committed to helping you achieve a just verdict and recover the compensation you deserve. To discuss your case in confidence, call our office in Chicago, Illinois, or Phoenix, Arizona, at 312-782-6717. You can also request a free consultation online.
