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If your civil rights have been violated, work with an attorney in Columbia, South Carolina that you can trust. We are proud to handle civil rights cases and fight for justice. Contact us today for a consultation about your case.
Lawyers for Civil Rights Violation Cases
Have you been the victim of discrimination, unfair exclusion or injustice in society? Our civil rights attorneys in Columbia, South Carolina may assist you.
Civil rights are the fabric of our society. They are the basic right that we all have to participate in society freely and without discrimination.
When civil rights are violated, the injustice must be met with strong legal action and dedication to upholding these important rights. Shealey Law Firm handles civil rights violation cases. When you need a civil rights attorney to stand up for you and stand with you, we invite you to contact our Columbia, South Carolina team to learn more about our services.
Understanding Civil Rights
Our civil rights come from several federal and state laws. The purpose of these laws is to make society fair and accessible to everyone equally. If someone discriminates against you because of a protected characteristic, your civil rights have been violated.
We all have civil rights in many contexts. For example, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in public accommodation, employment and education based on protected characteristics, including:
- Race
- Color
- National origin
- Disability
- Age
- Religion
- Sex and sexual orientation
- Pregnancy
- Gender identity
For example, it is against the law for an employer to discriminate based on a protected characteristic in hiring, promoting, managing or terminating employees. Discrimination is often nuanced, for example, if certain workers are given more harsh performance reviews or denied promotions.
In addition to the workplace, you have civil rights in many contexts, including:
- Public accommodation like restaurants, hotels, concert venues and public facilities
- Voting rights
- Treatment by law enforcement
- The judicial system, fair trials and incarceration
- Housing
- Freedom from hate crimes
- Disability discrimination
Compensation for Civil Rights Violation
If you are the victim of a civil rights violation, there are four possible outcomes of your case.
Compensatory damages
Compensatory damages are meant to make up for the losses that you have suffered because of what happened to you. Compensatory damages are both financial and personal. For example, you may have any of the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Lost profits or pecuniary gain
- Emotional suffering
- Humiliation
- Damage to your reputation
Compensatory damages identify these losses and value them fairly. The amount you may receive is specific to the harm that occurred.
Punitive damages
Punitive damages punish bad behavior. They make the defendant pay for their actions, and they send a message to everyone about the offensive nature of the conduct.
Injunctive relief
At the heart of any civil rights action is stopping the violation and preventing it from happening again. You may seek injunctive relief, or a court order. The court order may require a party to do something or to refrain from doing something.
Nominal damages
Nominal damages recognize that you are a victim of a civil rights violation. If your rights have been violated, but you don’t suffer any direct losses, you may receive nominal damages.
Our civil rights lawyers can review your situation and determine what kinds of relief may be awarded in your case. We can discuss the approximate value of the case and the reason for our opinion based on the law.
Civil Rights FAQs
What is a civil rights violation?
A civil rights violation is any infringement on your right to be treated fairly in society based on federal, state or local civil rights laws. It is a violation of any anti-discrimination law that applies to your situation.
Does the City of Columbia, SC have a fair housing law?
Yes. The City of Columbia Fair Housing Ordinance prevents discrimination in the rental or sale of housing.
What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is one of the broadest and best-known civil rights laws in the United States. It prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics in a variety of contexts.
What is the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009?
The Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, 18 U.S.C. § 249, provides funding to state and local law enforcement for the prosecution of hate crimes. It is against federal law to willfully cause bodily injury because of actual or perceived race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or other protected characteristic of a person.
What is the South Carolina Human Affairs Law?
The South Carolina Human Affairs Law makes it illegal to discriminate against an applicant or employee because of protected characteristics. In addition, an employer may not use policies that disproportionately impact a protected group, and they may not state a preference in a job advertisement.
How Our Columbia, SC Civil Rights Attorneys May Assist You
Being the victim of a civil rights violation can leave you feeling offended, insulted and disappointed. Civil rights violations are intolerable for all of us. Here are some of the ways our attorneys may assist you if you have been the victim of discrimination:
- Understanding the various United States and South Carolina civil rights laws and how they may apply to you
- Knowing how to go about upholding your civil rights including following the appropriate complaint process
- Determining what laws to reference in your legal action
- Identifying appropriate remedies and compensation that may be applicable for you
- Gathering evidence and proving your case
- Addressing the defense’s statements and how they respond to the action
- Guiding you and speaking as your voice throughout the proceedings
Our lawyers understand the process of bringing civil rights claims and how to pursue justice. We will evaluate your situation, discuss options and create a plan that is personal for your case.
Free Consultation with a Civil Rights Lawyer in Columbia
Are you wondering if your civil rights have been violated? Are you needing a civil rights lawyer to represent you? Contact Shealey Law Firm for a free consultation.
We are knowledgeable and experienced attorneys that you can rely on when you face a violation of your rights. Call or message us today.