Prison Injuries
Philadelphia Prison Injury Lawyers Fighting for Your Rights
Jails and prisons have a duty to protect their inmates’ safety while they are in custody. When a correctional officer violates an inmate’s civil rights, the best course of action after abuse or mistreatment that leads to injury is to speak with an experienced civil rights attorney. Officials who do not protect the civil rights of those in their prisons and jails can be held financially accountable for their injuries. The sooner you speak to a prison injury lawyer, the sooner you can understand your legal rights and begin the process of pursuing justice and compensation.
Injuries Caused to Prisoners by Workers
Just because you are an inmate does not mean that your civil rights should be stripped from you. Authorities have a duty to those in police custody to treat them reasonably and safely under the circumstances to avoid causing them injuries. When prison administrators and individual guards act negligently or recklessly, prisoners may be able to obtain compensation through a legal claim. Prison and jail administrators have been known to cut corners on safety issues to save money. They may fail to hire enough guards to keep prisoners safe. They may fail to take appropriate actions when an inmate has been repeatedly violent.
In other cases, they failed to use safety procedures when moving prisoners to and from their cells. Finally, in some cases, correctional officers themselves will assault inmates and cause them serious injuries through excessive force. Assault in prisons and correctional facilities can happen in many scenarios. The injuries can range from mild to severe or even be life-threatening. Some of the most serious types of prison injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Bruises and lacerations
- Trauma resulting from sexual assault
- An HIV diagnosis after a sexual assault
- Bone fractures
- Neck and back injuries
- Knee injuries
- Disfiguring facial injuries
Prison Workers Injured By Inmate Violence
Injuries in jails and Correctional Facilities can happen to police officers, correctional officers, and inmates. Six correctional officers were injured in a New York correctional facility in three separate attacks. One attack occurred when an inmate reached through cell bars and struck an officer. Another attack occurred when an inmate hit an officer multiple times. Employees of correctional facilities have a right to work in a reasonably safe environment.
If you were seriously injured while working at a prison or other correctional facility in Pennsylvania, you must speak to a prison injury lawyer as soon as possible. The attorneys at Abramson & Denenberg, P.C. have a proven track record of holding institutional facilities accountable when their negligence results in employee or inmate injuries.
Prisoner Injuries Due to Inadequate Medical Treatment and Neglect
Abuse is not the only way a correctional officer or officer can mistreat an inmate and cause an injury to Philadelphia prisoners. Neglect is also a civil rights violation. Some neglect happens because jails and correctional facilities are understaffed. In other cases, they failed to provide the necessary medical attention that inmates need. A prison guard or officer may refuse to take an inmate to see a medical professional when necessary, causing the condition to worsen. Most injuries caused by negligence involve the following types of negligence on the part of the correctional facility:
- Protect against, or respond, to assault or rape by another prisoner
- Adequately control and stop inmate violence
- Provide adequate meals to prevent hunger
- Provide adequate medical attention
- Prevent suicide
Inmates have fundamental human rights to adequate and prompt medical treatment for any of their injuries. If your loved one received adequate medical care in jail or prison and a serious injury resulted, you may have the right to bring a civil rights claim. When prison employees intentionally delay or withhold medical care, interfere with medical treatment, or negligently fail to treat a medical condition adequately, the condition can worsen. For example, suppose an inmate suffered a bone fracture and the responsible parties didn’t treat it in time. In that case, the victim can pursue compensation for violating their civil rights. Our attorneys work to aggressively represent prisoners who endure cruel and unusual punishment by correctional officers. Contact our support staff to schedule a free consultation with a prison injury lawyer today.
Injuries Caused by Sexual Abuse in Prison and Jail
Unfortunately, many Pennsylvania prisons and jails do not adequately protect inmates from sexual assault and sexual abuse in prison. When prisons do not have enough guards and do not have proper standards for keeping prisoners safe, they can enter painful, violent, and humiliating sexual assaults. The rape itself can be physically painful and cause physical damage. Prisoners are also at risk of contracting HIV and must live with the fear that they might have contracted it for months and some cases.
The mental anguish can include nightmares, depression, and thoughts of suicide. Some inmates end up contracting HIV due to prison rape, a virus that can be deadly in some cases. Other inmates are killed or seriously injured because of a violent attack. If you are your loved one has been seriously injured because of a sexual assault or sexual abuse in jail or prison, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit against the prison. It is important that you discuss your case with an prison injury lawyer as soon as possible so you can understand all of your legal options.
Suicide by an Inmate in Prison
Abuse isn’t the only way that a prison inmate can suffer injuries while in prison. Neglect by prison officers and guards can also cause significant injuries. In some cases, a prisoner who has made previous suicide attempts may commit suicide because the correctional facility failed to take preventive action. Neglect can lead to worsening medical conditions, malnourished inmates, and not receiving treatment for mental health conditions they may have developed.
Contact a Philadelphia Prison Injury Attorney Today
If you or your family member have become injured as a prison inmate, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. However, there is no time to waste. Based in Philadelphia, the experienced prison injury attorneys at Abramson & Denenberg, P.C. focus on obtaining compensation for victims of civil rights abuses. We know how to hold correctional officers and prison administrators accountable for the injuries caused by their negligence. Contact Abramson & Denenberg, P.C. today to schedule your free case evaluation with a prison injury lawyer and learn more about your rights.