Jail injury lawyers help victims recover damages for their injuries while holding liable parties accountable for their actions or negligence. The legal process can be complicated for incarcerated people, but our New York jail injury lawyers will guide them through the process, ensuring that they understand their rights and options. Victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We can also pursue compensation from a liable party, whether it be a government facility, private prison, or ICE center, depending on the circumstances surrounding their injury.
Injuries in jails can be severe, and they can have lasting effects on a person’s life. The most common types of injuries include physical and psychological trauma, sexual assault, and medical malpractice. While prison and jail officials have a duty to protect inmates from harm, they often fail in this obligation. Dangerous conditions, such as overcrowding, inadequate training of staff, and a lack of safety planning in case of an emergency, are just some of the many factors that contribute to inmate injury and death.
Even when an inmate’s health care needs are met, there is still a risk of injury. Injuries can occur during medical procedures, or when a person is transferred between facilities. These transfers are especially dangerous, as they often take place in poorly equipped vehicles with untrained drivers. If an inmate is injured during a transfer, they may be entitled to damages.
The most serious type of injury in a jail can be the result of direct abuse or neglect from prison guards. This can include “vicarious liability,” in which a guard fails to intervene when another inmate attacks, or direct negligence or abuse, such as when an inmate is denied adequate medical care that causes their condition to worsen. In addition, prisons and jails are liable for indirect injury when their policies or practices create dangerous conditions that lead to an inmate’s harm.
While sovereign immunity shields government entities from financial responsibility for injuries caused by their employees, privately-owned facilities are not protected. Injuries caused by private prison and jail staff may be eligible for compensation under a separate law called the Prison Litigation Reform Act. A lawyer can assess the circumstances of an inmate’s claim, request records, and gather evidence to build a strong case for accountability.
There are several different categories of damages that can be awarded to victims of injuries in jails and prisons. Most notably, victims can receive compensation for their medical expenses, including the cost of hospitalization and any surgeries that are necessary as a result of their injuries. Victims can also receive compensation for their lost wages, both past and future, if they are unable to work due to their injuries. In addition, victims may be compensated for their pain and suffering, which is a non-economic damage that can be difficult to quantify. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury while in jail, contact our New York jail injury lawyers today.