NY Civil Rights Lawyers Oppose Excessive Use of Force
Aggressive Pursuit of Justice for Unwarranted Police Violence
The mission of the New York Police Department is to enforce the laws, preserve the peace, reduce fear, and provide for a safe environment. But, too often, NYPD officers overstep the bounds of the law, incite fear and endanger the public. When police officers violate any person’s Constitutional rights and use more force than a situation warrants, the victims deserve to be compensated. At Rubenstein & Rynecki, our civil rights attorneys have recovered large verdicts or settlements for our clients in cases where we proved that NYPD officers used excessive force, including:
- $8.75 million for a man sodomized by an NYPD officer in a police precinct bathroom
- $3 million for the family of an African immigrant wrongly shot and killed by a police officer
- $1.5 million for a New York City cab driver wrongly shot by police
- $7.15 million for the wrongful death of man killed when police fired a 50-shot barrage
- $300,000 for a Haitian man beaten by a cop at a motor vehicle office in Brooklyn
- $440,000 for victims of police brutality at Caribbean parade
We fight these cases because we believe the victims should get the maximum amount of compensation they deserve, and to deter further incidents of police brutality in the future.
Use of Force by Police Must Be Reasonable
The law permits police officers to use as much force as is reasonably necessary to make an arrest and protect the public. Courts look at many factors to determine if an officer’s use of force was unreasonable. Whether the force used was excessive may depend on:
- The severity of the crime the suspect may have committed
- Whether the suspect posed an immediate threat to the officer or the public
- Whether the suspect was resisting or attempting to flee
If an officer has a reasonable belief that a suspect poses a threat of serious harm to the officer or the public, the officer may use the force necessary to subdue the suspect, including deadly force, to prevent the suspect from escaping.
Building Your Case for Excessive Force Against the Police
Courts are deferential to the police who have to make quick judgments often in deadly situations, so winning cases must have a solid foundation of evidence. Time and again, our firm has demonstrated our ability to investigate excessive for incidents thoroughly, assemble persuasive evidence and build a compelling argument for our client’s version of the facts. It’s that level of preparation and our passion to deliver justice that enables us to deliver excellent results for our clients.
Trust Our Proven Civil Rights Attorneys to Manage Your Excessive Force Lawsuit
When those who are entrusted to protect the public harm the people they are supposed to serve, justice demands accountability. At Rubenstein & Rynecki, our civil rights lawyers have been able to hold the NYPD accountable for abuses committed by its officers.
To learn why our firm could be your best choice for representation, schedule a free consultation by calling us at (718) 522-1020 or contacting our office online.

We Know Each and Every Case Personally
Hear the Difference From Past Clients
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Very professional.
“Rubinstein and Rynecki were wonderful from start to finish.”
- Jessica B. -
Professional and transparent from start to close.
“I was taken well care of and was always provided with professional advice and direction.”
- Alex B. -
Super organized & extremely professional.
“The team at Rubenstein & Rynecki are the best! Very straight forward, super organized & extremely professional.”
- Mike C.