New York Complaint — Prisoner Civil Rights, 42 USC 1983 is a civil action brought by a prisoner against a government actor or entity for violations of federal civil rights laws. It is commonly known as a Section 1983 claim or 1983 action. This type of lawsuit is used to hold state and local governments liable for civil rights violations that occurred when an employee of a government agency or entity acted under “color of law” and deprived a person of their rights. Common claims include violations of the First, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments. There are two types of Section 1983 claims under New York law: a claim for damages and a claim for injunctive relief. In a claim for damages, the plaintiff seeks monetary compensation for damages caused by the violation of their civil rights. In a claim for injunctive relief, the plaintiff seeks a court order either requiring the government actor or entity to take some action or prohibiting them from taking some action, in order to prevent a future civil rights violation.