You might think civil rights violations are stories from history books or headlines from other states—but here in Michigan, they’ve happened in our own neighborhoods. From the poisoned pipes of Flint, to police brutality cases in Madison Heights, to racial discrimination lawsuits out of Bloomfield Hills, and government systems in Lansing accused of trampling over basic human rights—these aren’t distant injustices. They’re right here, in our courts, our workplaces, our schools, and our communities.

Civil rights violations are not “drama” or “disagreements.” They destroy lives. They strip people of jobs, homes, health, reputations—and sometimes, they end lives altogether. When your civil rights are violated, you’re not just fighting for compensation; you’re fighting for dignity. For recognition that what happened to you was wrong—and that it can’t be ignored.

An Algorithm Accused Thousands of Michigan Residents of Fraud—With Little Chance to Fight Back (MiDAS)

Imagine opening your mailbox and realizing the State of Michigan has already decided you’re a fraudster—and it’s already taking your money.

That’s the nightmare at the heart of Cahoo v. SAS Analytics Inc. in the Sixth Circuit. The case describes Michigan’s unemployment system using automated decision-making to flag claimants for “fraud,” triggering immediate benefit terminations and severe penalties—sometimes before people even knew they’d been accused. 

According to the court’s summary, people alleged they didn’t get meaningful notice or a real chance to fight back, while the state garnished wages and intercepted tax refunds.  That’s not a paperwork issue. That’s your rent. Your groceries. Your dignity.

This kind of case is about due process—the basic constitutional promise that the government can’t punish you first and explain later.

Flint Water Crisis: People Alleged the Government Exposed Them to Toxic Water

Flint wasn’t just a “bad decision.” In court, residents alleged something darker: that officials knew the water was dangerous and still let families drink it.

In Boler v. Earley, the Sixth Circuit addressed Flint Water Crisis litigation and reversed dismissal of certain constitutional claims, rejecting arguments that federal water law automatically preempted those claims.  In plain English: the court recognized that even when there are environmental statutes, constitutional rights still matter.

These cases have been litigated under theories tied to bodily integrity and “government-created danger”—when people argue government actions exposed them to serious harm. 

Court-Ordered Work Program Allegedly Enabled a Sexual Assault

When a court orders you into a program, you’re not walking in as an equal. You’re under control. You’re vulnerable. And that vulnerability can be exploited.

In Sexton v. Cernuto, the Sixth Circuit case arose from allegations that a woman participating in a court-ordered work program was sexually assaulted—and that a supervisor helped isolate her, enabling the abuse. 

This isn’t just “workplace misconduct.” When the government’s authority is part of the system that put you there, constitutional protections can come into play.

Claims like these often turn on constitutional protections tied to bodily integrity and state responsibility in custody/control-like settings—because the power dynamic is not normal.

These cases often hit the wall of qualified immunity—a legal doctrine that can shield government actors unless clearly established law applies. Appellate decisions shape accountability because they set the rules for what misconduct can be challenged moving forward. 

Notably, the Sixth Circuit opinion lists Jonathan R. Marko of Marko Law as counsel in the case.  That matters—because these fights are hard, and victims deserve attorneys who know how to take them all the way.

A 15-Year-Old Died by Suicide in a Michigan Juvenile Facility—Family Sued

When the state takes custody of a child—even through a contractor—there’s a duty to keep that child safe.

In Nugent v. Spectrum Juvenile Justice Services, the Sixth Circuit described allegations involving a 15-year-old who was court-ordered into a locked facility setting and later died by suicide.  The case also addresses the critical question of whether a private operator can be treated as a state actor—meaning constitutional accountability can attach when the facility is performing a traditionally governmental function. 

Cases like this commonly involve claims about deliberate indifference and custodial duty concepts—whether warning signs were ignored, policies failed, or supervision was dangerously inadequate.

If the court recognizes a contractor as acting on behalf of the state in a meaningful way, it can open the door to constitutional liability. 

A Catholic Michigan Worker Fired Over a COVID Vaccine Dispute Won a Massive Jury Verdict

Picture giving 30+ years to a Michigan employer, doing your job remotely, and still being told: comply or you’re out.

That’s the core of what happened in Detroit federal court with Lisa Domski’s case against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Domski sought a religious accommodation, said it was denied, and said she was fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine because it conflicted with her Catholic beliefs. 

A jury sided with her—and the numbers were loud: the verdict form included $10 million in punitive damages, plus about $1.7 million for lost pay and $1 million for noneconomic damages.  (AP later reported those punitive damages were likely to be reduced due to federal damages caps under Title VII.) 

This is the Title VII framework—where employees may have protections against religious discrimination and may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation for sincerely held religious beliefs (unless the employer can show undue hardship under the law). 

Michigan Department of Corrections: A Major Race Discrimination Verdict

It hits different when the employer is the State of Michigan—because the power imbalance isn’t subtle. It’s structural.

In September 2019, a jury awarded more than $11 million to a Black couple who sued the Michigan Department of Corrections over workplace race discrimination.  Michigan Lawyers Weekly reported on the outcome as a major win for the employees. 

These cases often involve federal anti-discrimination laws and Michigan’s own civil rights protections, including the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act—Michigan’s landmark law prohibiting discrimination in employment and other areas. 

Big verdicts typically reflect more than one bad moment—they can signal strong evidence, credible testimony, and a jury that believes the harm was real, ongoing, and unacceptable. 

Alleged “Jim Crow” Treatment at a Bloomfield Hills Restaurant Led to a Civil Rights Lawsuit

People love to pretend discrimination only happens in “bad neighborhoods” or “messy workplaces.”

Then Bloomfield Hills happened.

Local reporting described a civil rights lawsuit filed on behalf of ex-employees at Eddie Merlot’s alleging a hostile, racist work environment—including allegations of degrading comments and segregating seating in ways plaintiffs likened to “Jim Crow”-era conduct.  The claims were detailed and blunt—exactly the kind of case discovery is built for: texts, schedules, training records, witness testimony, and corporate responses. 

Cases like this may involve:

• Hostile work environment claims (workplace harassment based on race)
• Public accommodation discrimination concepts (depending on who was harmed and how)
• Michigan’s civil rights protections under Elliott-Larsen 

A 74-Year-Old Michigan Man Alleged Police Used Excessive Force—Federal Suit Followed

A neighbor dispute shouldn’t end with someone injured, traumatized, and forced into a federal lawsuit just to be heard.

In Madison Heights, a 74-year-old man filed a lawsuit alleging officers used excessive force after police were called to his home over a neighbor dispute.  Reporting described the case as hinging on the kind of evidence that often decides these fights: what officers wrote, what video shows, what injuries prove, and what medical records document. 

Police-force cases are commonly litigated under the Fourth Amendment (unreasonable seizures / excessive force), and sometimes additional constitutional claims depending on the facts.

Michigan Has a Civil Rights Problem—and Court Is Where It Gets Answered

If you’ve ever had your rights violated, you know the quiet part nobody talks about: most people blame themselves.
You replay it. You second-guess it. You wonder if you’re being “too sensitive,” if you should’ve stayed quiet, if you should’ve just taken the hit and moved on.

At Marko Law, we fight hard—and we don’t back down. If you were harmed, targeted, retaliated against, or stripped of dignity by someone in power, let’s talk. You deserve answers. You deserve respect. And if your rights were violated, you deserve a legal team that’s ready to go to war for you.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

📞 Phone: +1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com