Claiming Compensation for Police Misconduct
The police are supposed to protect us – which makes experiencing mistreatment or negligence at their hands even more traumatic.
Our team of solicitors specialising in actions against the police can support you through the process of making a civil claim against the responsible police force.
We can help you make a compensation claim against the police for:
- Police brutality, assault and injury
- Data protection breaches
- Discrimination
- Wrongful arrest and false imprisonment
- Malicious prosecution
- Unlawful searches and trespass.
Our police misconduct solicitors can support you on a no win, no fee basis, so you will only have to pay legal fees if your claim is successful.Â
For free, no-obligation legal advice call 0800 0 224 224 or complete our short enquiry form.
Thompsons has established a justified reputation for fighting for justice on behalf of its clients.
The client absolutely comes first for every single member of the team.
Claims for police assault and injury
If you have been assaulted by a police officer or injured during contact with the police, you may be entitled to compensation.Â
For example, you may be able to claim if you have been:
- Injured in a collision with a police vehicle
- Injured while being placed under arrest
- Injured during the arrest of another person
- Assaulted by police during a protest, including injuries as a result of being bitten by a police dog or hit with batons or riot shields
- Subject to excessive force during contact with the police.
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Police data protection breaches
Any data protection breach has consequences, but data protection breaches by the police can have a major impact on safeguarding and privacy due to the highly sensitive nature of the data held.
If you have suffered due to a breach of data protection by the police, we can help you bring a claim against the police force that compromised your personal data.
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Wrongful arrest and false imprisonment
If you believe you have been unlawfully arrested or detained by UK police, you may be eligible for compensation.
If you have been arrested and police have failed to follow the correct procedures, this could be considered a wrongful arrest and we can support you in bringing a claim against the police.
Read our wrongful arrest and false imprisonment page for more information, or call us on 0800 0 224 224 for advice.
Need legal advice?
If you have been mistreated by the police, our lawyers are on hand to provide free, no-obligation legal advice.
Actions Against the Police FAQs
The time limits to make a claim against police are generally as follows:
- You have three years to make a claim for police assault or injury
- You have six years to make a data protection claim
- You have six years to make a wrongful arrest or false imprisonment claim
- You have one year to make a Human Rights Act claim
- You have six months to make a claim under the Equality Act for discrimination.
There are some limited exceptions – for example, if you are claiming on behalf of a child or vulnerable adult.
However, when it comes to taking actions against the police, we always recommend speaking to a solicitor about your claim as soon as possible after the event.
If you’re not sure if you can still make a claim, please request a call back and we can discuss your case.
We believe that everyone who has faced injustice should be able to make a claim, regardless of their financial situation.
That’s why we offer no win, no fee arrangements, so you won’t be charged unless your claim for compensation is successful.
Every action against the police is different, so the amount of compensation is different from case to case.Â
The amount of compensation is based on many factors, including:
- What the police did
- The extent of your pain and suffering
- Any financial losses incurred, such as any loss of earnings or medical expenses.
Our lawyers should be able to give you an estimate of how much compensation you could receive during your free consultation.
Damages for police misconduct are awarded as follows:
Basic Damages
Basic damages will compensate you for the actual loss and injury that you have suffered due to the police misconduct.
Aggravated Damages
Aggravated damages are discretionary and can be awarded where the court feels that basic damages are insufficient. They are intended to compensate for the police deliberately acting to cause injury to your feelings. It is rare for aggravated damages to be awarded.
Exemplary Damages
These are intended to punish the police for oppressive, arbitrary or unconstitutional actions, but are rarely awarded.
Thompsons has been fighting for social justice for over 100 years, acting only for the injured and mistreated.Â
Throughout our history we have worked closely with the trade union movement, which means we have a long history of representing those who have been mistreated by the police while involved in demonstrations or on picket lines.
We have specialist lawyers trained in providing support to those with brain injuries and learning disabilities who have experienced negative interactions with police as a result of their condition.
At Thompsons, we are committed to holding the police accountable for their behaviour and we are proud to represent those who have suffered mistreatment.
For free, no-obligation advice complete our enquiry form or call us on 0800 0 224 224.
