New York injury lawyers representing thousands of New York inmates are celebrating a $33 million victory today after settling a class action lawsuit against the city of New York.
Two women at the forefront of the suit claimed that they forcefully underwent gynecological exams. Thousands of other people say that they were strip searched in New York city jails.
The plaintiffs in the suit were largely individuals who were arrested on misdemeanor charges. These individuals were subjected to strip-searches at Rikers Island; among other New York jails.
One of the New York injury lawyers on the case referred to the intrusive strip-searches as a "mass humiliation" to let prisoners know who was in charge.
Although the suit alleged violations of the prisoners' constitutional rights, the victims of the intrusive searches will be compensated for their injury and suffering. The women who were subjected to the forceful gynecological exams will be entitled to $20,000 each. The remaining victims will divide the settlement amount among themselves under court supervision, receiving $1,800 to $2,900 each.
There are many situations where a violation of constitutional rights could raise personal injury liability. An example of this was seen recently in the New York school arrests, where young children were arrested and humiliated in front of fellow students, often for not committing any crime at all. Sometimes, laws could limit or preclude a type of action from being brought however. A good New York injury lawyer would know when to bring a personal injury action in such a case.
If you feel your constitutional rights have been violated by public officials, a New York injury lawyer may be able to counsel you on your remedies under personal injury law.
Related Resources
- Female prisoners forced to undergo strip searches in New York jails to split up $33M in class action (NY Post)
- Schoolgirl's Arrest Raises Liability for NYPD (The New York Personal Injury Law Blog)
- Supreme Court Rules Pesky Prisoner Rights Lawsuits Can't be Tossed Out (FindLaw Blotter)
- Find a NY Injury Lawyer (Findlaw)
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