Civil Rights Cases: "Deliberate Indifference" to Medical Needs of Prisoners

Civil rights cases generally involve alleged violations of a person’s Constitutional rights and can encompass numerous types of claims.

I generally focus on a unique and specific area of civil rights law: “deliberate indifference “ to the serious medical needs of those incarcerated. These cases generally involve situations where a person in jail or prison suffers a permanent injury and/or damages due to the failure of authorities to provide basic, timely medical care. Often these cases center on an unjustified delay in treatment.

Notable civil rights cases I have handled involving “deliberate indifference” to an inmate’s serious medical needs include:

• Fields v. Scott (Lee County Sheriff’s Office) and Prison Health Services, Inc., et al., MDFL Case No. 2:09-CV-529-FtM-STEELE. (inmate developed a spinal epidural abscess which was left untreated and eventually resulted in permanent partial paralysis to inmate). See press coverage: "Jury Awards Inmate Paralyzed in Lee County Jail $1.2 million"

• Hardwick v. Lamberti (Broward County Sheriff’s Office) and Armor Correctional Health Services, Inc., SDFL Case No. 07-61296-CIV-GOLD. (inmate's HIV-status regressed into "full blown" AIDS due to the jail's failure to provide him with anti-retorviral medications).

• Sauve v. Lamberti (Broward County Sheriff’s Office) and Armor Correctional Health Services, Inc., SDFL Case No. CASE NO. 07-61575-CIV-DIMITROULEAS. (inmate's HIV-status regressed into "full blown" AIDS due to the jail's failure to provide him with anti-retorviral medications).

If you or someone you know was not provided medical treatment for a serious medical need while incarcerated, call my offices to schedule a free consultation.