What Is the Average Civil Rights Violation Lawsuit Settlement?

In the United States, civil rights laws are designed to protect individuals from discrimination and ensure equal treatment under the law. Unfortunately, actions such as housing discrimination, employment discrimination, segregation, hate crimes, or voting rights violations may infringe on another person’s civil rights. If you have experienced a civil rights violation, you are within your rights to seek financial compensation for any damages you suffer.

Furthermore, the average civil rights violation lawsuit settlement depends on the unique circumstances of your case. Also, it may vary widely based on the damages suffered and the strength of your available evidence. The compensation usually comprises economic damages (e.g., medical expenses and lost income), emotional distress damages, court fees, injunctive relief, attorney’s legal fees, and equitable relief. Depending on your case, your financial settlement may range from thousands to millions of dollars.

However, receiving a settlement from your civil rights lawsuit or legal action can take forever. If you are facing financial distress while your legal battle is ongoing, you do not have to wait for the lengthy settlement process to conclude. High Rise Financial offers affordable pre-settlement loans to individuals with ongoing civil rights lawsuit. The pre-settlement funding is non-recourse and you don’t need to pay back anything if you lose your case.

What Is a Civil Rights Violation?

Civil rights are privileges conferred and protected by the Constitution and federal laws, which grant individuals the right to equal treatment and opportunities. Examples include the right to free trial, freedom of speech, the right to vote, and freedom from unlawful discrimination based on race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, color, disability, and more.

A civil rights violation can be described as any act perpetrated by any person that violates another person’s protected rights. For example, if a company discriminates against a specific group of people when hiring, based on their religion or nationality, it may be considered a civil rights infringement. Some legislation enacted to protect civil rights includes:

• The Civil Rights Act of 1964
• The Age Discrimination Act of 1975
• The Fair Housing Act
• The Americans with Disabilities Act
• The Equal Pay Act of 1963
• The Voting Rights Act of 1965

To apply for free, call (877) 735-0016

Types of Civil Rights Violations

There are many types of civil rights violations. Common examples include the following.

Employment Discrimination

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 states that it is unlawful for employers to discriminate against employees based on their race, religion, national origin, or color. Violations include failing to hire, creating a hostile environment, unfavorable employment policies, or firing someone from a protected class.

Law Enforcement Misconduct

Some behaviors by law enforcement officers also equate to violations of civil rights. Examples include the use of excessive force, unjustified shootings, and brutality.

Refusal of Service

Public or government agency and private entities should not refuse a person service based on their race, gender, national origin, color, citizenship status, or religion. Such discrimination violates civil rights and may result in a private lawsuit.

Harassment

Harassment, whether sexual or verbal, in the workplace or in school, is also a civil rights breach. This includes harassment toward someone from a protected class (race, national origin, color, religion, gender, etc.).

Housing Discrimination

The Fair Housing Act prohibits the denial of housing to individuals from protected classes. Property owners also must not discriminate against families with children.

Denying People the Right to Vote

The Voting Rights Act forbids people from being denied the right to vote based on their color, race, disability, or language.

Average Civil Rights Violation Lawsuit Settlement

As mentioned earlier, individuals who have been subject to civil rights infringement can file a civil rights lawsuit seeking relief. However, the potential settlement will depend on the damages suffered. For instance, if you face police brutality, the court may award compensatory damages for any medical expenses you incur. You may also pursue damages for lost income if the injuries made you unable to work. Compensation is also available for general damages (e.g., compensation for emotional distress).

Similarly, if an employee sues an employer for discrimination based on their gender in a case where perhaps the employer pays a female worker less than her male counterparts, the court may order the employer to back pay the amount underpaid. The offender is also liable for the cost of the lawsuit (court and attorney fees). Sometimes courts award punitive damages, but this is rare, mostly occurring in cases where there is gross misconduct.

The following are settlements from recent lawsuits, according to the United States Department of Justice.

FedEx Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Case (May 2023)

A Texas jury awarded $366 million to Jennifer Harris for racial discrimination and retaliation claims against FedEx Corporate Services, Inc. Harris alleged that she was terminated from her employment based on her race and in retaliation for reporting alleged acts of race discrimination. The jury found FedEx guilty of violating her rights under Section 1981 and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Activision Blizzard Discrimination Settlement (December 2023)

Activision Blizzard agreed to pay nearly $54 million to settle workplace discrimination claims brought by California’s civil rights agency on behalf of women who were employed by the company. The settlement addresses allegations of discrimination against women, including denying promotion opportunities and paying them less than men for similar work.

McLane Northeast Disability Discrimination Case (February 2024)

A jury awarded $1.675 million to a qualified deaf applicant who was refused an interview and job at McLane Northeast. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed the lawsuit, alleging that the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by refusing to consider the applicant for two warehouse jobs. The jury found in favor of the applicant after a 3.5-day trial, awarding damages for the discrimination.

Tesla Racial Discrimination Settlement (March 2024)

Tesla settled with former employee Owen Diaz for $3.2 million after a jury awarded him this amount in a racial discrimination lawsuit. Diaz had faced racial slurs and a hostile work environment at Tesla’s Fremont factory. The settlement was reached after both parties appealed the original $137 million verdict, which was later reduced to $15 million before the final $3.2 million award.

Notable Mention: The City of Minneapolis and George Floyd Settlement (March 2021)

The family of George Floyd reached a $27 million settlement with the city of Minneapolis. This wrongful death settlement followed Floyd’s murder by former police officer Derek Chauvin. This landmark settlement in favor of the family of George Floyd underscores the ongoing fight for racial justice and police reform in the United States.

As you can see from the above civil action cases, settlement depends on the circumstances of each case. However, an attorney should be able to give you a rough estimate of how much you can expect based on your grievances.

Do You Need to Hire an Attorney?

While you can file a lawsuit without an attorney, getting effective legal representation is necessary. It is always advisable to work with a knowledgeable civil rights lawyer who is highly experienced in handling similar cases. You can count on their experience to:

• Develop your case and ensure you have all the necessary documents.
• Assess your case and perform a valuation that maximizes the settlement.
• Counter any defense strategies that may weaken your case.

Complete a Free Application form now

Get the Financial Backing You Need to Pursue Your Case

Lawsuits are financially draining. In addition to paying court administrative fees, you may also be financially pressed owing to the circumstances the violation has plunged you into. At High Rise Financial, we understand your predicament and are here to relieve your burden. Our civil rights lawsuit loans are much better than traditional loans. They are ideal to help you achieve financial relief.

Should you need financial resources for your civil rights violation lawsuit settlement, contact our team today and let us help. Applying for our pre-settlement funding is 100% risk-free, with no obligation to you. Contact us today to determine your eligibility and apply for legal funding.

Call or text (877) 735-0016 or fill out our form to apply today for free.

Call or text (877) 735-0016 or fill out our form to apply today for free.