California Police Shooting Lawyer

The police shooting lawyers at The Wagner Law Group hold officers and departments across California accountable when deadly force takes a life. Call us at (833) 200-7111 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation today.

The Wagner Law Group’s police shooting lawyers represent families and survivors of unjustified police shootings and excessive force throughout California — fatal officer-involved shootings, shootings of unarmed people, and serious injuries. We’ve recovered over $300 million for victims across California. Call (833) 200-7111 for a free consultation.

A police shooting can end a life in seconds and leave a family searching for answers the department is unwilling to give. From the first hours, the agency controls the evidence and deploys its own investigators, union lawyers, and public-relations team to shape the story. Meanwhile, the people who lost a loved one are left with funeral costs, lost income, and grief no one prepared them for.

Call us now at (833) 200-7111 for a free consultation, or Contact Us below and we will reach out to you.

The Wagner Law Group levels the playing field. We handle everything — investigation, evidence preservation, negotiation, and trial — so your family can focus on each other. Our attorneys don’t get paid unless you win, and we have spent decades taking on government entities that are used to never being challenged.

We represent the injured and the families of those killed in cases involving:

• Fatal officer-involved shootings
• Shootings of unarmed individuals
• Mental health and crisis-call shootings
• Traffic stop and pursuit shootings
• Shootings during raids and warrant service
• Serious non-fatal shooting injuries — paralysis, disability, disfigurement

No matter how powerful the agency on the other side, our commitment is the same: full accountability, honest guidance, and results.

Why Choose Our California Police Shooting Lawyers?

At The Wagner Law Group, we only get paid when you do. That’s not just a policy — it’s our commitment that your case matters as much to us as it does to you.

Our attorneys have earned some of California’s most respected legal recognitions:

• AV Preeminent Award — the highest possible rating in legal ability and ethical standards.
• The Exemplary Leadership Award from Central California Legal Services.
• Top Attorneys in Northern California by SF Magazine, recognizing our record of victories and ethical standards.

We’ve recovered over $300 million for injured clients across California. Police shooting cases are among the hardest fought in civil litigation, and that track record is the result of thorough investigation, aggressive litigation, and a willingness to take a city or county all the way to trial.

Fatal Officer-Involved Shootings

When police kill a family member through unjustified deadly force, California law allows surviving heirs to bring a wrongful death action and a separate survival action for the harm the victim suffered. We pursue both alongside federal civil rights claims to maximize accountability and recovery.

Shootings of Unarmed or Vulnerable People

Many of the most serious cases involve someone who was unarmed, fleeing, or experiencing a psychiatric or medical crisis. We work with use-of-force experts to show the jury exactly how and why the shooting was unnecessary.

Surviving a Serious Shooting Injury

Survivors are often left with paralysis, permanent disability, or disfigurement. We build claims that account for a lifetime of medical care, lost earning capacity, and the pain the injury will cause for years to come.

Understanding California’s Police Deadly Force Law

Police shooting cases sit at the intersection of federal civil rights law and some of the strictest deadly force standards in the country. Experienced attorneys must navigate all of them at once.

42 U.S.C. Section 1983 and the Fourth Amendment

Federal civil rights law lets families and survivors sue individual officers and government agencies when deadly force violates the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable seizures. Courts weigh whether the force was objectively reasonable under Graham v. Connor, and deadly force against a fleeing person is only permitted under the narrow rule of Tennessee v. Garner. Federal law also allows recovery of attorney’s fees under Section 1988.

California’s Deadly Force Standard (AB 392, Penal Code 835a)

California holds officers to a tougher standard than federal law. Under AB 392, an officer may use deadly force only when necessary in defense of human life — not merely when it was “reasonable.” This stricter standard, combined with the totality of the circumstances leading up to the shooting, is often decisive in California cases.

California Bane Act (Civil Code 52.1)

The Bane Act provides additional state-law protection and enhanced damages when an officer interferes with constitutional rights through threats, intimidation, or coercion — which deadly force inherently involves. It is also not subject to a qualified immunity defense.

Monell Claims Against the City or County

When a shooting stems from a department’s policies, inadequate training, failure to discipline, or a pattern of ignored complaints, the municipality itself can be held liable — not just the officer who pulled the trigger.

How a California Police Shooting Claim Works

A police shooting claim is more than filing paperwork. It requires fast evidence preservation, a clear theory of liability, and the ability to take a government entity to trial.

The Government Tort Claim Deadline

This is critical: when a police shooting claim is brought against a government agency, you may have as little as six months from the date of the incident to file a government tort claim — far shorter than the two-year deadline for many civil rights claims. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your case. Contact us immediately so we can protect every deadline on your behalf.

Preserving the Evidence — Before It Disappears

These cases are won or lost on evidence the agency controls. We move fast to preserve body-camera and dashboard footage, dispatch and radio recordings, autopsy and forensic findings, and officer training and disciplinary records before they can be lost or overwritten. Federal civil rights claims are filed in United States District Court, while related state-law claims proceed through the California Superior Court for the county where the shooting occurred.

Types of Compensation in a Police Shooting Case

• Economic Damages: Medical and long-term care costs, lost wages and earning capacity, and funeral and burial expenses.
• Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, severe emotional distress, and a family’s loss of love, companionship, and support.
• Punitive Damages: Awarded against officers who acted with malice or reckless disregard for human life.

How We Handle Your Case From Start to Finish

• Free Case Review: We evaluate your case, explain your options, and tell you honestly what to expect.
• Investigation: We move immediately to preserve footage, records, and witness accounts before they disappear.
• Government Claim & Demand: We file all required government claims on time and present a strong demand for accountability.
• Filing the Complaint: If the agency refuses to do right by your family, we take it to federal court.
• Discovery: We build the record through depositions, document requests, and expert analysis.
• Trial: Our attorneys are experienced trial lawyers, fully prepared to go the distance.

Why California Police Shooting Victims Choose The Wagner Law Group

Choosing the right civil rights attorney isn’t just about experience — it’s about finding someone who will treat your case with the urgency it deserves.

Here’s what sets us apart:

1. Proven Results: Over $300 million recovered for clients across California.
2. No Fee Unless We Win: You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid when you do.
3. Personalized Attention: You work directly with your attorney, not passed off to a paralegal.
4. Federal and State Experience: We litigate Section 1983 claims and California’s stricter deadly force standard side by side.
5. Statewide Reach: We represent families across California and take on agencies of every size.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts. This page provides general information and is not legal advice.

Contact us today at (833) 200-7111 or online for a free consultation. There’s no obligation, no upfront cost, and no risk — just answers.

If your case involves other law enforcement abuse, we also represent survivors of police sexual assault and handle personal injury matters throughout California.

What to Do After a Police Shooting

If police have shot you or killed someone you love, the steps you take early can protect both your family and any future claim:

• Get medical care and follow through on treatment. Your health comes first, and medical records document the injuries.
• Write down everything you remember — officer names and badge numbers, patrol-car numbers, dates, times, locations, and what was said and done.
• Identify witnesses and save their contact information before they move on.
• Preserve anything connected to the incident — phone video, photos, clothing, and any documents the agency gave you.
• Do not give a recorded statement to the department, its insurer, or investigators before speaking with an attorney.
• Act quickly. A government tort claim deadline can be as short as six months, and the agency controls evidence that disappears fast.

The sooner you reach out, the more we can do to preserve the footage and records that prove what happened.

Areas We Serve

The Wagner Law Group represents police shooting victims and families throughout the State of California from our office at 7815 N Palm Ave #410, Fresno, CA 93711. We handle cases statewide, including the Central Valley, the Bay Area, the Sacramento region, the Central Coast, and Southern California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue if the officer was cleared or not criminally charged?

Yes. A civil lawsuit is entirely separate from any criminal investigation or prosecution. You can pursue a civil claim regardless of whether the officer faces charges, is cleared by the department, or is acquitted. The burden of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal case.

Does qualified immunity prevent me from suing over a police shooting?

Not automatically. Qualified immunity protects officers only when their conduct did not violate clearly established law. Many police shooting cases succeed despite a qualified immunity defense, and California Bane Act claims are not subject to it. An experienced civil rights attorney can evaluate how it applies to your case.

How long do I have to file a police shooting claim in California?

If a government agency is involved, you may have only six months from the date of the shooting to file a government tort claim, even though some federal civil rights claims allow up to two years. Because multiple deadlines can apply at once, contact us immediately so none are missed.

What evidence matters most in a police shooting case?

Body-camera and dashboard video, dispatch and radio recordings, autopsy and forensic findings, officer training and disciplinary records, and independent witness accounts. Much of this evidence is controlled by the agency and can be lost if not preserved quickly, which is why early legal action is so important.

Who can file a claim if a family member was killed by police?

California law allows surviving heirs — typically a spouse, domestic partner, children, or other dependents — to bring a wrongful death claim, along with a survival action for what the victim endured before death. We help families determine who has the right to file and pursue every available claim together.

How much does it cost to hire a police shooting lawyer?

Nothing upfront. The Wagner Law Group works on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided by The Wagner Law Group for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page or contacting our firm through it does not create an attorney-client relationship, which is formed only by a signed written agreement. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Laws and filing deadlines change and vary by situation — do not rely on this page in place of advice from a licensed attorney about your specific circumstances. If you have a potential claim, consult a qualified attorney promptly, as strict deadlines may apply. This may be considered attorney advertising.