Filing a claim and being involved in a lawsuit is stressful no matter what it involves. You hope that you will be successful in your quest, but there is never a guarantee. And because typical everyday people don’t understand all the legal talk and steps required, it makes the process even more stressful. So, what happens when you have filed an excessive force claim against the very people who are meant to keep you protected and safe – the police?
Here we’ll take a look at some of the ways you can deal with the stress of filing an excessive force claim against the police.
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Permit Yourself to Go Through the Emotions
It may sound like a silly tip, but many people try to be strong and act like the stress isn’t getting to them, keeping everything bottled up. The problem with bottling up your emotions is that eventually they will spill over and then you’ve got a big mess to deal with. Instead, give yourself permission to feel everything you’re going through and be in that moment. You are entitled to all your feelings and it’s healthy to address them.
If you’re having a hard time working through the emotions, try speaking to a close friend or family member or even seeking help from a therapist or counsellor.
Contact a Lawyer to Represent You
This is perhaps the best tip of all and is a great way to alleviate the vast majority of your stress. Hiring a lawyer to represent you in your claim means they will be taking on all the work and responsibility. It’s up to them to gather the evidence and prove your case. Just be sure to look for experienced excessive force lawyers who can explain to you how they would approach your claim, and what they can offer you.
Your lawyer can also talk to you about the kind of outcome that can occur, what’s involved in compensation, what sort of criminal charges the police may face and more.
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Take a Conscious Break from the Stress
Finally, it’s important to take a conscious break from the stress of your excessive force claim. You can’t think about it all day every day, as this will only lead to elevated levels of stress. There are plenty of activities and hobbies you can engage in that are known to help you relax and get your mind off worries and stress.
Here are some of the best ways to combat stress:
You want to find an activity that requires your focus so that you can’t think about anything else. This may be hard to do at first but will get easier with practice.
There Is an End in Sight
Throughout the process, you must remind yourself there will be an end to the stress. Your claim won’t last forever and eventually, there will be a settlement or ruling. You just need to find ways to cope until that point and deal with the stress in the healthiest manner possible.
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