Federal and state law explicitly protects the civil rights of all individuals regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. Individuals that have had their civil rights violated are entitled to damages. Accordingly, class action litigations are filed in an effort to compensate victims, hold violators accountable and, hopefully, protect future victims.
Starting with the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, important federal civil rights protections have been codified and strengthened throughout our nation’s history. Notably, there is the Civil Rights Act of 1964 establishing civil rights protections in many different settings including: voting (Title I), public accommodations (Title II), federal programs (Title VI), and employment (Title VII). A number of different types of protections were gradually added, such as those involving housing (the Fair Housing Act) and higher education (Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972). Most importantly, all of these protections were made specifically amenable to vigorous safeguarding through litigation against public and private defendants (including section 1983 actions against the government and private individuals acting under the color of the law).
Aside from these broad federal protections, New Jersey was the first state to pass its own civil rights law back in 1945. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, also known as the LAD, is codified at N.J.S.A. 10:5-1, et seq. New Jersey has led the way in creating and expanding upon state civil rights in all areas of employment, education, benefits, property, and public accommodations, with New Jersey Courts emphatically holding that the intended purpose of the LAD is “nothing less than the eradication of the cancer of discrimination.
If you believe that you and others similarly situated have been wrongly discriminated against by the government, a private company, or an individual, contact Stark & Stark’s Civil Rights Class Action Attorneys for a free consultation. Act now, because your claims could be subject to statutes of limitations if you sit on your rights.
Leading the Way in Finding Justice for Victims of Civil Rights Violations
Stark & Stark’s Civil Rights Class Action Attorneys are proud to be at the forefront of these important and groundbreaking litigations. By way of just one recent example, Stark & Stark attorneys were part of a legal team representing thousands of female prisoners who were sexually abused, assaulted, and discriminated against. Through novel legal arguments and tenacious litigation, the team was able to recover over $20 million in damages and implement crucial prison reforms such as correction officer body cameras.
In this manner, a civil rights class action does more than just recover compensation for the class members. A civil rights class action is also the most powerful tool to combine the claims of hundreds or thousands of victims to set a precedent, foster change and achieve justice. Contact Stark & Stark’s Civil Rights Class Action Attorneys to join the fight.
Confronting the Many Faces of Discrimination
Stark & Stark’s Civil Rights Class Action Attorneys are highly skilled and experienced, with a proven track record on large, complex cases. Our Civil Rights Class Action Attorneys work hard to recover compensation for victims illegally discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, religion or disability, in various settings, including:
- Employment
- Education
- Contracts
- Housing
- Public Benefits
- Law Enforcement
- Speech
- Voting
If you would like to discuss your Civil Rights Class Action claims, contact Stark & Stark, confidentially and free of charge, and we will help assess any potential claims.
