You Have Rights. We Know How to Enforce Them.
When law enforcement crosses the line, the damage is real — physically, emotionally, and financially. The Foster Firm represents people in Atlanta, Columbus, and across Georgia who have been subjected to excessive force, wrongful arrest, racial profiling, and other violations of their constitutional rights. We have been doing this work since 2004, and we know how to build a case that holds officers and agencies accountable.
What Police Misconduct Actually Looks Like
Police misconduct is not always a headline. It happens in traffic stops, in holding cells, in apartment parking lots, and on the sidewalk outside your home. If any of the following happened to you, you may have a viable civil rights claim:
- Excessive or unreasonable force during an arrest or stop
- Wrongful arrest or detention without probable cause
- False imprisonment or unlawful search and seizure
- Racial profiling as the basis for a stop or arrest
- Sexual misconduct or abuse by an officer
- Failure to intervene when another officer used excessive force
- Retaliation for exercising your First Amendment rights
You do not have to accept what happened to you as normal. The law gives you a path forward, and we know how to use it.
Filing a Complaint Won't Create Accountability — a Lawsuit Will
Many people who experience police misconduct file an internal complaint with the department and wait. Those complaints rarely result in meaningful consequences. Internal investigations ask officers to police themselves. A federal civil rights lawsuit is different.
Under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, you have the right to sue a government official — including a law enforcement officer — for violating your constitutional rights under color of law. This is a federal cause of action, heard in federal court, entirely separate from any internal department review. A successful Section 1983 lawsuit can result in financial compensation for your injuries, and in some cases, it can compel systemic changes in how a department operates. It also creates a public record that a complaint never would.
We pursue both federal civil rights claims under Section 1983 and Georgia state tort claims where applicable. Qualified immunity is a real legal obstacle in these cases — but it is not an absolute shield, and it does not protect officers who violated clearly established constitutional rights. We know how to argue around it, and we have the litigation experience to take these cases to trial when that is what it takes.
$1,000,000
Rideshare Accident Verdict. Client was seriously injured in a collision involving a rideshare vehicle. The case proceeded to trial, and the jury returned a seven-figure verdict.
The Evidence Tells the Truth
One of the most common fears we hear is: "I don't think anyone will believe me." We understand why. But the evidence in police misconduct cases is often more objective and more recoverable than people expect.
We pursue every available record from the moment we take your case:
- Body camera and dashcam footage
- Dispatch logs and radio communications
- Arrest records and booking documentation
- Medical records documenting your injuries
- Witness statements from bystanders or other officers
- Prior complaints filed against the same officer
- Department policies and training records
That evidence tells a story. Our job is to make sure it is heard — in discovery, in depositions, and if necessary, in front of a jury.
Who are the attorneys at The Foster Firm?
The Foster Firm is led by Keith Foster and his wife, [Second Attorney Name] Foster. Both are licensed personal injury attorneys in Georgia with over 20 years of combined practice at the firm. They handle cases personally and take cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation.
Are The Foster Firm attorneys husband and wife?
Yes. Keith and [Second Attorney Name] Foster are a husband-and-wife attorney team who founded the firm together in 2004. This family-oriented structure means clients receive consistent, personal attention from the attorneys handling their case — not a rotating team of associates.
How long has The Foster Firm been in practice?
The Foster Firm was established in 2004 and has been serving personal injury clients in the greater Atlanta area for over 20 years. The firm has since expanded to serve clients in Douglasville and Columbus, Georgia.
Does The Foster Firm actually go to trial?
Yes. Unlike many personal injury firms that settle every case to avoid litigation, The Foster Firm regularly takes cases to trial. This willingness to litigate is a core part of how the firm secures stronger outcomes — insurance companies negotiate differently when they know your attorney will see them in court.
Who does The Foster Firm represent?
The Foster Firm represents injured adults throughout the greater Atlanta metro, including College Park, South Atlanta, and Douglasville, as well as clients in Columbus, Georgia. The firm has deep roots in the African American community in South Atlanta and College Park, and is committed to providing experienced legal representation to clients who have historically been underserved by the legal system.
What It Costs to Fight Back
Nothing upfront. We handle police misconduct cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There is no retainer, no hourly rate, and no bill to worry about while your case is pending.
Federal civil rights law under Section 1983 also includes a fee-shifting provision. When a plaintiff prevails in a civil rights case, the court can order the defendant — the officer or agency — to pay the plaintiff's attorney fees. The law was designed this way intentionally, to make it financially possible for ordinary people to hold the government accountable. We take full advantage of that provision on behalf of our clients.
Why Clients Bring These Cases to The Foster Firm
Police misconduct cases are complex. They involve constitutional law, federal procedure, qualified immunity defenses, and government entities that have institutional resources and experienced defense counsel. Most personal injury firms do not handle them. We do — and we have for over two decades.
Common Questions About Police Misconduct Claims in Georgia
What is a Section 1983 lawsuit and how does it apply to my case?
Section 1983 is a federal law that allows individuals to sue government officials, including police officers, for violating their constitutional rights. If an officer used excessive force, arrested you without probable cause, or discriminated against you based on race, you may have a Section 1983 claim. These cases are filed in federal court and are entirely separate from any internal complaint or criminal proceeding.What is qualified immunity and does it mean I can't win my case?
Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine that protects government officials from personal liability unless they violated a "clearly established" constitutional right. It is a real defense that officers raise in these cases, but it is not absolute. Courts have found that many uses of force and unlawful arrests are not protected by qualified immunity. An experienced civil rights attorney can assess whether the doctrine applies and how to argue against it in your specific situation.How long do I have to file a police misconduct claim in Georgia?
Georgia applies a two-year statute of limitations to Section 1983 claims. However, if your claim involves a state tort against a government entity, Georgia's ante litem notice requirements may impose shorter deadlines — sometimes as little as six months. Do not wait to speak with an attorney. The sooner you act, the better your ability to preserve evidence and meet every required deadline.What if I was arrested and charged with a crime — can I still file a civil rights claim?
Yes. A civil rights lawsuit is a separate legal matter from any criminal case against you. Even if charges were filed or you were convicted of something related to the encounter, you may still have a viable claim for excessive force, unlawful search, or other constitutional violations that occurred during the arrest or detention. The two proceedings run on independent tracks.Does The Foster Firm handle police misconduct cases in Columbus, GA?
Yes. We represent clients in Columbus and throughout Georgia. Police misconduct representation is rare in the Columbus market, but your federal rights are the same regardless of where you live. We are actively serving clients in Columbus and welcome calls from anyone in that area who has experienced abuse of authority by law enforcement.
Ready to Hold Them Accountable?
What happened to you matters. The Foster Firm has spent more than 20 years building cases that the other side did not want to face in court. If you were subjected to excessive force, a wrongful arrest, racial profiling, or any other abuse of authority, we want to hear from you. The consultation is free. There is no cost unless we win.