When a person is sentenced to serve time in prison, they should not have to be concerned about the treatment they may receive from prison guards and other staff. Unfortunately, some prison employees may abuse their power in order to assert dominance over inmates. As a result, an inmate could suffer a severe injury at the hands of a guard that is supposed to ensure the safety of inmates. If you were injured due to the actions of a prison guard in Maryland, you should consult with an experienced Maryland attorney for injuries caused by prison guards.
Rice, Murtha & Psoras is here to help you seek the compensation you deserve if you were injured due to the actions of a corrupt prison employee. We believe that an inmate should not have to fear for their life at a correctional institution that fails to adhere to safety guidelines. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your potential claim, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. You can also contact the firm online.
Common Examples of Prison Guard Abuse in Maryland
Inmates at a prison should never have to fear that a prison guard or other prison staff will engage in behavior that would result in poor treatment. However, many prisoners have their rights violated by prison staff that fails to uphold safety standards. the following is a list of common examples of prison guard abuse in Maryland.
Striking Inmates
There are many cases where correctional officers will unjustly use force to subdue an inmate. These displays of force may entail using weapons to keep an inmate in line. As a result, an inmate could sustain severe injuries like a bone fracture or a head injury. Unfortunately, inmates often have a difficult time showing how a guard physically abused them.
Excessive Solitary Confinement
In 2018, roughly 75% of Maryland inmates spent some time in solitary confinement. Many inmates stayed in solitary confinement for up to 45 days or more. Restrictive confinement is often used for inmates that have a medical disorder or as a disciplinary measure. However, the excessive use of solitary confinement can have a number of harmful effects upon an inmate.
Prison guards can easily use solitary confinement to harass an inmate. the inmate could be subjected to physical attacks by guards or may not receive their meals on time as another form of punishment. Solitary confinement may also be used as a method to keep the inmate from visiting with family members.
Restrictive confinement also often gives rise to mental illness. In turn, some inmates may hurt themselves or attempt to commit suicide to escape the confines of their cell.
Failure to Receive Medical Attention
Inmates at a prison often need consistent medical care. This is especially true for inmates living with a chronic illness. However, prison staff may avoid the medical requests of an inmate as a way to punish them. Unfortunately, this can result in an inmate being seriously injured due to the negligent actions of the prison staff.
There are other circumstances that can result in an inmate being harmed by prison staff. Abuse from prison staff could cause an inmate to suffer a variety of injuries from bone fractures to even mental illness. To learn more about filing a lawsuit after being injured by prison staff, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer.
Liability for Injuries Caused by a Prison Guards
If you were injured due to the actions of a prison guard or staff member, you could seek a claim for compensation for your injuries and other losses. When pursuing compensation, you should be aware of the parties that can be held responsible for your injuries. As you might expect, the prison staff that caused your injuries could be held liable for your injuries. However, the employer of the prison staff could also be held liable for their actions.
The correctional facility that employs the prison staff could be held liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior. the doctrine of respondeat superior allows a person to hold an employer vicariously liable for the actions of an employee. Specifically, the employer can be held responsible for acts of an employee that occur within the scope of their employment. For example, if a corrections officer attacks an inmate, this may be attributed to an employer.
If you are unsure about who can be held liable if you were injured at a prison, our firm can help you explore your legal options. An inmate does not completely forfeit their rights once they arrive at the prison. Our firm can help you fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Contact Our Experienced Maryland Lawyer for Injuries Caused by Prison Guard and Staff to Discuss Your Potential Case
If you or a family member suffered an injury at the hands of a prison employee, contact an experienced Maryland injury lawyer for injuries caused by a correctional officer. Personal injury attorney Randolph Rice has extensive experience litigating injury claims, and he is committed to providing you with the unique legal representation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. You may also contact the firm by using our online submission form.