While prisoners are in jail to receive punishment for their previous actions, they are still entitled to certain constitutional standards, and must be treated fairly. When a jail or prison neglects or abuses an inmate through direct action or the absence of action, and that results in death or injury to the inmate, there can be legal ramifications. If you have had a loved one who was abused in jail, the team at Murphy Falcon & Murphy in Baltimore can assist with your case.
Some forms of excessive force in jail include:
- Physical abuse
- Medical neglect
- Suffocation
- And more
Physical Abuse
Guards are in place to keep the inmates under their care in check, but they are also there to ensure the safety of all inmates and others on the premises. If an altercation arises, they are charged with diffusing the situation. In some cases, these can get violent. If there are injuries sustained to any detainees, the guard must be sure to get the injuries checked as soon as the situation is under control. Failure to do this can lead to lasting injuries or even death in some cases. If a guard takes their duties too far and abuses an inmate without provocation, there are also serious punishments that can befall them.
Our Baltimore law firm has handled inmate abuse cases for years, and we will always have a compassionate team ready to take on your case.
Medical Neglect
During the time that a jail or prison accepts custody of an inmate or pretrial detainee, they are obligated to provide medical care in response to serious medical conditions. If they have been made aware of these conditions, yet they disregard them and do not administer medical attention when it is needed, they can suffer consequences. This is especially true if the inmate or detainee suffered serious injury or even death.
In wrongful death cases like these, the team at Murphy Falcon & Murphy has been successful in the past in obtaining settlements for our clients. Learn more about how we can assist in your case today.
Suffocation
If an inmate suffers asphyxiation or suffocation from the improper use of a chokehold, “spit hood,” or other restraint in the jail system, the surviving family can be entitled to damages. If a guard is improperly trained or gets too overzealous during an altercation, they use too much force as they attempt to restrain an inmate. These oftentimes are meant to impair breathing or cause unconsciousness so that the person in question cannot fight further. However, force can easily be applied past the point where it is necessary, causing death.
If your loved one is the victim of wrongful death by asphyxiation in prison, contact Murphy Falcon & Murphy to begin a consultation.
Start Your Case Today
At Murphy Falcon & Murphy, we will aggressively fight for your rights and the rights of your loved ones. When they have suffered at the hands of correctional officers, our civil rights and wrongful death attorneys are ready to help. Get in touch with our Baltimore office today to begin a consultation with our expert law team.