Injured in a Protest in Omaha, Nebraska?
People across the nation are taking to the streets to protest police brutality and systemic racism. Small groups of people have gathered in Omaha to protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The news reports that the protests have been peaceful. In Lincoln, the news reported larger groups gathering. While protests in Omaha have thus far been peaceful, protests across the nation have sometimes ended in violence and with individuals getting injured at the hands of police. And while the groups gathering in Omaha are reported to have been small, 6 News reports that the National Guard has been called to support police. There has been concern that the protests could turn violent and concern for the safety of those involved. Protestors have the right to gather and to exercise their First Amendment right to freedom of speech.
Rensch & Rensch Law is an Omaha, Nebraska personal injury law firm that fights for the rights of the injured. Our lawyers represent individuals who have been hurt in car accidents, represents those who have been hurt on the job, and represents those who have been hurt due to the neglect or intentional injury of another person. Individuals who are injured in a protest due to police brutality, police violence, or due to the violent actions of a person at a protest may have the right to seek damages for their injuries from negligent parties. Pursuing lawsuits against the police can be challenging because the police are protected from lawsuits under a legal doctrine known as sovereign immunity. Under sovereign immunity, the government needs to consent to the lawsuit. Despite this, across the nation there have been reports that those injured by police violence have been seeking justice and have been seeking assistance from lawyers. There have been cases across the nation where police agreed to settle lawsuits with families privately, thus avoiding a costly and public court battle with the family. As more police officers are being held criminally responsible for violent actions against the public, families in these situations may also find themselves with more options when pursuing lawsuits. Others have called for the end of sovereign immunity for the police, but it isn’t clear whether this will happen any time soon. Rensch & Rensch Law is a personal injury law firm in Omaha, Nebraska that works with those who have been hurt in car accidents and due to negligence or intentional actions. If you’ve been hurt in Omaha, call Rensch & Rensch Law today.
Your Right to Peacefully Assemble
The ACLU offers a guide to protestors to help them understand their rights. What are your rights if you plan to attend a protest? And what can you do if you end up hurt by the police?
First, you have the right to peacefully gather and express your views in a public place. Public places where the ACLU notes that First Amendment rights are strongest are streets, sidewalks, parks, and the front of government buildings. When protesting in these areas, protestors have the right to film what takes place. However, if a protest blocks a street, protestors may be asked to get a permit, and police may disperse protestors to permit the free flow of traffic.
There are cases where police may be called to disperse a protest. According to the ACLU, dispersing a protest should be an act of last resort, and should only occur if officers believe rioting will take place, if the protest is a threat to public safety, or if the protest blocks the road. However, when dispersing protestors, protestors should be given fair warning to disperse, and should not be injured during the process. Unfortunately, sometimes during dispersal orders, protestors are hurt, pushed, shoved, injured by the use of rubber bullets or tear gas, or are illegally detained. If you were hurt by police in a protest, you have rights. Take photos of your injury, take down the name and badge number of the offending officer, and get the names and contact information of witnesses. Seek medical attention for your injuries and if you can take photos of the scene or what happened, do so. If you’ve been hurt, you can always reach out to a personal injury lawyer in Omaha, Nebraska like the lawyers at Rensch & Rensch Law. Our accident lawyers may be able to help you seek damages to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering stemming from an injury that took place at a protest.
Seek Justice for Your Injuries Today
If you’ve been hurt in Omaha, Nebraska, you may have the right to seek damages for your losses. However, you may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim. While the police are protected from lawsuits under the doctrine of sovereign immunity, families and victims have successfully won lawsuits and have been awarded settlements. If you have questions about your rights, reach out to Rensch & Rensch Law or connect with USAttorneys.com to get matched with a lawyer at Rensch & Rensch Law today.
