No win, no fee police assault compensation
Be represented by an actions against police claims lawyer at no upfront cost to you. Under our No Win, No Fee agreement you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of the compensation awarded if your case is successful
What is police assault?
Police assault occurs when a police officer uses excessive or unnecessary force during arrest or when restraining a person. Any physical force used in the course of a police officer carrying out their lawful duties must be necessary, reasonable, and proportionate.
If an officer is found to have used excessive force when arresting or restraining an individual – which also considers the use of batons, tear gas, taser guns, or firearms – then it may be considered to be assault.
Also, if the arrest is found to be unlawful, any restraint on an individual could then technically be considered an assault.
Any action which causes an individual to fear for their physical safety (such as a police officer raising their baton) may in itself constitute assault, even without any actual physical contact. If physical contact is also made, this may be considered battery.
Specialists in police assault claims
Our team at Hudgell Solicitors have supported many clients in claims against police assault and battery during an arrest.
Using our wealth of knowledge and expertise, we will give you straightforward and honest advice so that you know all of your options.
Even if you were lawfully arrested, you may have a claim for compensation if the force used by the police was excessive. If you were wrongly arrested, you could have a compensation claim for any use of handcuffs and the taking of your fingerprints and DNA.
We understand that for many, an acceptance of wrongdoing and an apology is just as important as any compensation settlement.
Securing the compensation you deserve
Our specialist civil liberties solicitors have years of knowledge and experience in claims for assault by police officers and can make all the difference in helping you to secure the compensation you deserve.
We pride ourselves on cutting through the legal jargon to give you regular updates in plain English. That way you’ll feel positive in the pursuit of your claim and truly understand your rights.
Get in touch with our expert civil liberties lawyers today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
We act on a “no win, no fee” basis, so it won’t cost you a penny to start the process of making a claim for wrongful police assault.
How to make a police assault injury claim
Make a claim in five easy steps
Free Initial Advice
Call us, request a callback or complete our online claim form and we will assess whether we think you have a claim.
Funding
We will help you to decide how best to fund your claim. Usually we will be able to offer you a No win, No fee agreement.
Letter of Claim
We will send a letter to your opponent with details of your claim, setting out why we think they are at fault.
Obtain Supporting Evidence & Expert Reports
We will request copies of any supporting documents for your claim and, if appropriate, instruct expert witnesses to provide an opinion in support of your case.
Negotiate Settlement
We will review your opponent’s response to our letter of claim and update you on the merits of your claim and any valuation before making any settlement offers.
Start your claim today
Feel free to give us a call or begin your claim online
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FAQs
What do I do if I was assaulted by a police officer?
If you are assaulted by the police, it is important to remain calm and ask for the police officer’s name and identification, before seeking legal assistance.
If you are taken to a police station, you have a legal right to contact a solicitor and speak in private. You should communicate with your solicitor about what has happened then.
From here, you can make a formal complaint against the police officer. You can either make a complaint directly to the police force or through the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). If you make a complaint with the IOPC, it will be sent directly to the organisation involved.
The police force will assess your complaint and often issue an explanation. In some cases, they may need to carry out an investigation. You will be told how your complaint is being handled and how the decision will be reached. However, the complaint is handled, they must write to tell you the outcome and explain whether you can request a review or appeal.
How will Hudgells support me in bringing a claim for assault?
Here at Hudgell Solicitors, our experienced team have helped many people pursue claims of assault and battery by the police. During this difficult time, our expert solicitors are here for you every step of the way.
The process begins with an initial free, no-obligation chat about your circumstances. We will provide some initial advice and discuss whether you should in the first instance lodge a formal complaint against the police or pursue a police assault compensation claim. There is no commitment when contacting us, but it will enable our lawyers to assess whether your case can be taken forward and inform you what the next steps will be.
From here, a civil liberties specialist will be assigned and dedicated to supporting you through your case. Using clear, non-legal language, they will explain each step and describe what is needed from you through each stage of the claim.
Our representation will see us:
- Carrying out initial fact-finding by discussing with you what happened, what went wrong, and the impact this has had on your life.
- Advising on how you can report the assault using appropriate methods.
- Request evidence including CCTV footage, witness statements, records, and more.
- Communicate with all parties.
- Discuss settlement agreements and possible outcomes of your case.
From here, we will help file your case and we will hold your hand throughout any court proceedings, if necessary.
What is the average compensation paid out for assault by police?
The amount of compensation you can receive in a police assault or battery case will largely depend on the individual circumstances of your case.
Factors that can affect the amount you receive include:
- Whether you were struck using hands, batons, or other objects.
- Whether a taser or tear gas was used.
- The extent of your injuries.
- Any emotional trauma.
- If you have not been able to work as a result of your injuries.
- If an assault left you with extremely serious injuries, you can receive as much as £500,000.
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Meet our civil liberties lawyers
Local lawyers at the heart of your community
Victoria Richardson
Hollie Codd
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