Civil Rights Lawyers

Civil Rights Lawyers

Legally Reviewed By
Greg Francis

Osborne & Francis: Civil Rights Attorneys

Despite widespread media attention and public outcry, civil rights violations are still all too common. It can happen to you or a family member at any time, and it can have far-reaching effects on your life and future prospects. Whether your civil rights have been violated by law enforcement, an employer, or a landlord, or bank, Osborne & Francis are ready to stand beside you and hold them accountable.

Our civil rights attorneys are motivated by two things: getting you the justice you deserve to make things right, and the knowledge that holding the powerful accountable for civil rights violations makes our society a safer place.

Video Transcript

So you've been in a car accident. What happens next? There are many things that you should do but here are the three most important:

Number One: See a doctor immediately. 

A broken bone is easy to see, but some injuries are not. The most common injuries from car accidents happen in the neck, back, or head. The only way to diagnose and treat them is by seeing a doctor. A doctor can help ease the pain, provide medication, reassure you of how your injury may impact your daily life, and tell you what not to do to make it worse.

A visit to the doctor can also give you legally protected time off to recover and rest your body after an accident, and it documents and provides the evidence you may need for your case. Even a five-mile-per-hour car accident can cause a serious injury. So whether you've had a severe accident or a minor collision, see a doctor. And if you don't have medical insurance, let us know and we'll make sure that you receive the proper care. 

Number Two: Write everything down.

Even if it seems small, during times of stress or injury it is common to forget the little details. Make sure you keep note of the pain that you're in. With neck, back, and head injuries, sometimes simple activities such as walking up the stairs or picking up a toddler may cause severe pain. 

You may not be sleeping well at night. Documenting how much you sleep and how often you wake up due to pain is also very important. And lastly, if you have any cuts or bruises, take daily photos as you heal. This will provide visual evidence of the injuries that you've suffered. 

Number Three: Do not speak to an insurance company until you've spoken to a lawyer.

Please understand that the insurance adjuster works for a billion-dollar corporation and not for you. Their interests are solely for their insurance company, and their goal is to provide you with the least amount of financial settlement as quickly as possible. When you do speak with them, remember they will record the conversation. Why do they do this? Because they've been trained to ask questions that may confuse you. So talk to us before you talk to them. 

So remember: See a doctor, document everything, and call us before calling the insurance company for your free private consultation. We are here for you. Real tough lawyers fighting real tough issues.

Osborne & Francis

Our Civil Rights Lawyers’ Proven Track Record

Attorney Greg Francis Secures $1.25 Billion for Black Farmers in a Historic Civil Rights Case Against the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Osborne & Francis partner Greg Francis served as lead counsel for a class action racial discrimination lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA was found to have systematically discriminated against black farmers for decades, and ordered to pay $1.25 billion to 20,000 farmers or their descendants. This is currently the largest civil rights settlement in the history of the United States.

Contact us today at (561) 293-2600 to find out how we can help with your civil rights case.

The Types of Cases our Civil Rights Attorneys Handle

Civil rights lawsuits can involve a wide range of legal disputes and violations. The following are examples of the types of civil rights cases we handle:

Racial Discrimination Lawsuits

If you have been denied equal treatment based on race or country of origin, you need to discuss your situation with a civil rights lawyer. Lawsuits are the most effective way for victims of racial discrimination to obtain justice and end discriminatory practices that may have gone unchallenged for decades. Housing and employment discrimination and denied access to financial or other services often have racial factors at their roots. Our attorneys know the ins and outs of racial discrimination lawsuits, so contact us for a free review of your case.

Gender Discrimination

If you suspect that your gender is the reason you have been denied equal protection, treatment, or access, Osborne & Francis gender discrimination lawyers are ready to help you decide the best course of action. Decades of federal laws are in place to prevent discrimination on the basis of gender or sex, but that doesn’t mean violations can’t occur. It means you need an experienced gender discrimination lawyer who knows which laws best apply to your case, and how to obtain the best legal remedy for your situation. The federal laws intended to prevent gender discrimination include:

  • Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Equal Credit Opportunity Act
  • Family and Medical Leave Act
  • Equal Pay Act of 1963
  • Pregnancy Discrimination Act
  • Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972

If you’ve experienced discrimination based on sex at the hands of an employer, government agency, or financial or educational institution, contact us at (561) 293-2600 today to discuss your case with our expert gender discrimination lawyers.

False Arrest

To keep the public safe, we place a great deal of power in the hands of our law enforcement officers. But in order to maintain our freedom and civil rights, we place well-defined limits on how and when the police can use that power. Many times, police officers overstep those limits and make an arrest without the proper legal justification. Also, it’s often the case that these overreaches of police authority occur disproportionately in minority communities or neighborhoods. If you have been subjected to a false arrest, you have options and may be entitled to financial recourse for your losses.

Excessive Force by Law Enforcement

In Florida, there is no clear definition of what constitutes excessive force or police brutality. However, the proper use of force by police is outlined in Florida Statute 776.05:

The officer is justified in the use of any force which he or she reasonably believes to be necessary to defend himself or herself or another from bodily harm while making the arrest.

Many times, officers can take things too far while subduing a suspect; they may quickly move beyond the force necessary to defend themselves or others. Excessive force can involve the use of tasers, batons, pepper spray, takedowns, or chokeholds. Use of these tools and tactics can vary from department to department, so if you have been injured during an encounter with law enforcement officers, contact Osborne & Francis today.

In assessing your case, we will determine if the officers violated any departmental procedures in using a specific type of force. We can also help determine whether they moved beyond what was necessary for defense and acted out of anger, a loss of control, or the desire to punish by inflicting pain.

Wrongful Conviction

Personal freedom is the most basic of our civil rights. It is so foundational and important that we require the highest standard of evidence for incarceration: proof that is beyond a reasonable doubt. But the system fails too often. Either due to overzealous prosecutors, or a series of unfortunate and negligent mistakes by law enforcement, the innocent are sometimes wrongly convicted. This can result in lost months, years, or even decades. If you have been wrongly convicted of a crime, you are entitled to compensation for your lost time, wages, and more. Contact Osborne & Francis today to discuss your case.

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Civil Rights Resources

Our experienced attorneys are here to help you through the complicated process of addressing a civil rights violation. We’ve gathered several important resources below about civil rights to help you better understand the situation you may be facing. When ready, just reach out and we’ll be there to help.

What types of remedies can civil rights attorneys help secure?

Erica F.

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"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"

T. Andrews

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“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”

J. Davis

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“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”

C. Smith

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“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”

E. Holland

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Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!

Alfred

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Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.

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Osborne & Francis is the Civil Rights Law Firm that Will Stand Up For You

Contact a Civil Rights Attorney for Your Claim

At Osborne & Francis, we employ effective, creative legal strategies to handle a wide range of civil rights claims. Our civil rights attorneys have extensive experience successfully litigating large, complex cases. We utilize the court system as a powerful agent of change for creating better environments in our communities.

While monetary reimbursement for losses is certainly at the top of our priorities, our work extends beyond that and goes much deeper. To us, it’s also about restoring your dignity as a human being and reaffirming your standing in society.

If you think your civil rights have been violated, contact Osborne & Francis today at (561) 293-2600 for a free case evaluation. We take cases in Florida and nationwide from our offices in Boca Raton and Orlando, and we are ready to put our experience to work for you. Standing up to civil rights violations is one of the most important things you can do for your community. So, while you are fighting for them, we’ll be fighting for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of remedies can civil rights attorneys help secure?

The legal remedies in a civil rights lawsuit can be quite broad. A typical remedy for a civil rights violation will involve a monetary damages award, which can cover costs associated with lost wages, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and other losses.

In many instances, the remedy in a civil rights lawsuit will involve the court ordering the liable party to take action, or to stop taking certain actions. Such forms of relief may include:

  • Requiring an institution to change their policies so they are no longer discriminatory
  • Reinstating an employee to their previous position after being fired or demoted
  • Removing “bad actors” in an organization, such as a harassing coworker

At Osborne & Francis, we work hard to ensure you receive the best possible remedy for you. We understand how important it is to reinstate you to your original position, and to ensure that the same injustices are not repeated over and over.

What questions should I ask a civil rights attorney?

When meeting with a civil rights attorney for your first consultation, you should feel free to ask them whatever questions you may have — there are no “wrong” questions. The right inquiries will help you determine whether the lawyer is a good fit for your case. You should ask things like:

  • What is your experience in handling civil rights cases?
  • What is your track record?
  • Do you have any special background or education in civil rights law?
  • How often can I reach you during the legal process?
  • What are my legal rights and options?
  • What remedies can you secure for me?

If you or a loved one have had your rights violated, schedule a free consultation with the civil rights attorneys at Osborne & Francis at (561) 293-2600. We are available to answer your questions, guide you through the legal process, and secure the best possible outcome for you and your family.

When should I contact a civil rights attorney?

You should contact a civil rights lawyer as soon as you suspect that your civil rights have been violated. There are filing deadlines associated with civil rights claims; if you miss your filing window, you may lose the opportunity to receive any remedies at all.

Also, bear in mind that civil rights claims can often involve widespread, systemic violations that affect many individuals at the same time. By contacting a civil rights attorney promptly, you may be preventing further injustices.

What should I bring to an initial consultation?

You should bring whatever documentation you feel best explains your case to the attorney. The consultation process will be more effective if you can secure documentation such as pay stubs, employment or housing contracts, or police reports — any document that might help support your claim.

On the other hand, if you can’t locate or obtain every single item you think of, don’t worry — it is the attorney’s job to gather and prepare evidence for trial. The purpose of an initial consultation is to assess the details of your case and determine your legal options and subsequent steps.