Richmond Racial Discrimination Attorney

Have you been racially discriminated against? Have you been prejudiced due to our LGBTQ identity? 

From police brutality to workplace discrimination, Airington Law helps clients assert their anti-discrimination rights in the face of unlawful prejudice. Our firm is led by a diverse team of women attorneys who are compassionate about our clients’ civil rights and will fight tenaciously for them. 

We prioritize customer satisfaction and will work together with you to build a discrimination case that meets your needs and goals, and we will foster a welcoming and open environment for you to feel comfortable discussing your legal issues in.

Get started on your Henrico County discrimination case today. Contact Airington Law at (804) 294-2719 for a same-day consultation.

Police Brutality and Racial Discrimination

Unfortunately, some law enforcement officers meant to protect and ensure safety do the opposite – use excessive force to restrain suspected individuals. Police brutality can occur in numerous situations, particularly due to racial discrimination. 

If you believe you have been racially discriminated against and have been mistreated by a police officer, Airington Law can help you take legal action for relief.

Police brutality falls under the larger umbrella of police misconduct, which may include other misdeeds by law enforcement, such as:

• Harassment
• False imprisonment
• And general acts of discrimination

You can file a police misconduct claim in Richmond to seek compensation due to the violation of your constitutional rights. 

Qualified Immunity and Police Brutality Claims

Note that “qualified immunity” protects certain law enforcement officers under the presumption that police officers should be able to do their job without the threat of litigation. This becomes a tricky line when officers accused of police brutality claim they were only doing their job.

 In order for a claim to hold beyond qualified immunity, the officer’s conduct must violate “clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.”

What Damages Are Available in a Police Misconduct Lawsuit?

Our attorneys in Richmond can work with you to build a strong claim for compensation due to police misconduct. 

Some recoverable damages include:

•  Medical expenses
• Lost wages and earnings
• Emotional distress
• And public humiliation

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Police Misconduct Claims?

Keep in mind that the statute of limitations for such a claim is 2 years from the date of the misconduct; the court will be unlikely to hear the case after this date.

LGBTQ and Employment Discrimination

Under federal law, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee based on certain characteristics, such as:

• Race
• National origin
• Religion
• Sex
• Disability
• Age (40 or older)

Virginia state law further prohibits workplace discrimination based on the above, as well as based on gender identity or sexual orientation. 

Filing a Charge of Discrimination

If you have been discriminated against in the workplace due to the above, such as your race or sexual orientation, you can file a Charge of Discrimination with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for legal remedy. 

Generally, you should file a Charge of Discrimination before you can file a job discrimination lawsuit against your employer within 180 days from the date the discrimination occurred. 

There are several remedies available to you if your petition is successful. In cases of discrimination, the goal of the law is to put you in the same position that you would have been if the discrimination had never taken place. 

For example, your attorney in Richmond may be able to recover the following:

• Placement in a job you were denied due to your race
• Back pay and benefits you would have received if you had not been denied due to discrimination
• Compensatory damages (out-of-pocket expenses caused by the discrimination, such as medical expenses, emotional harm, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life)
• Punitive damages to punish the employer