Cases Brian handles
- Excessive force by police and corrections officers
- Failure to provide medical care to people in jails and prisons
- Injuries and deaths in custody
- Dangerous conditions of confinement
- Related state-law claims against government entities and employees
What makes these cases different
Civil rights cases come with defenses that ordinary injury cases do not. Individual officials often raise qualified immunity, and claims against a city or county generally require proof that an official policy or custom caused the violation. These cases are document-heavy, and the government controls most of the evidence, so early requests to preserve video, reports, and records are important.
Deadlines and notice requirements
Federal courts apply Georgia's two-year personal injury limitations period to Section 1983 claims arising in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). State-law claims against government entities can carry much shorter written notice requirements, called ante litem notice:
- Cities: written notice within six months (O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5)
- Counties: presented within twelve months (O.C.G.A. § 36-11-1)
- The State and its agencies: written notice within twelve months under the Georgia Tort Claims Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-21-26)
Missing one of these notices can end a claim, so do not wait.
What you can do now
- Write down what happened, who was involved, badge numbers, and witnesses.
- Photograph injuries and get medical care. Keep the records.
- Save any video you or others recorded.
- Do not discuss the incident on social media.
This page provides general information about Georgia law and is not legal advice. Deadlines and requirements depend on the facts of each case. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.