Inmate Lawsuits

nurseT · Jun 25, 2006

I have been an RN for 17 years (all in a hospital setting).
I am thinking of changing directions.
I recently heard of a job at a state run male prison that has an infirmary.
The inmate population is about 3500.
I have read through all the posts in this section and feel I have a pretty good idea of what to expect.
One of the things I have more questions about is inmate law suits.
A couple of the posts have mentioned that inmates are very litigious.
Can anyone share some more information about this?
What type of things do they file law suits over?
I assume many of the law suits are frivolous.
How many of them actually make it to court?
Do the state/prisons have lawyers that handle it or do you have to hire your own lawyer?
How many correctional nurses have been reported to their state nursing boards by inmates for frivolous reasons?
What happens after you are reported to the state nursing board?
Any information you want to share will be appreciated.
CatarinaEstelle

VERY SELDOM WILL YOU SEE A LAW SUIT THAT ACTUALLY HAS MERIT. AS LONG AS YOU CYA IN ALL YOU DO, YOU WON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. I GET INMATES THREATENING TO SUE ME AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES A MONTH. IT'S ALWAYS THE DRUG SEEKERS. THEY SEE SOMEONE ELSE HAS SEROQUELL AND THEY THINK THEY NEED IT TOO. I'VE GOT A FEMALE RIGHT NOW WHO WHEN SHE WAS BOOKED IN HAD 4 DIFFERENT EMPTY SCRIPT BOTTLES FROM DIFFERENT DOCTORS AND DIFFERENT PHARMACIES. THEY WERE FOR VICODIN, XANAX, SOMA ETC. SHE IS REALLY MEAN AND WANTS HER DRUGS BY GOD. THE NICE THING ABOUT CORRECTIONS IS AS A NURSE, YOU GET TO MAKE THE DECISIONS, NOT THE INMATE. ON THE OUTSIDE IN A DOCTORS OFFICE, SHE WOULD THROW HERSELF ON THE FLOOR AND SCREAM SHE WAS GOING TO SUE BECAUSE THE DOCTOR WAS NOT TREATING HER PAIN AND ANXIETY ISSUES. THE DOCTOR FREAKS OUT AND WRITES A SCRIPT TO GET RID OF HER. IN JAIL, THAT BEHAVIOR IS PUNISHABLE. I WILL COME RIGHT OUT AND TELL THEM, "YOU DON'T SCARE ME, AND FAKING AN ILLNESS WILL GET YOU PUT IN THE HOLE, NOW GET YOURSELF UP OFF THE FLOOR". IF I HAVE AN INMATE WHO IS GENUINELY IN PAIN, THEY ARE TREATED. CORRECTIONS IS EASIER IN THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO CATER TO THE ONES WHO ARE NEVER SATISFIED. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A LAWSUIT FROM AN INMATE THAT WENT THROUGH EXCEPT WHERE THERE WAS NEGLECT OR DELIBERATE INDIFFERENCE FROM THE DOCTOR OR NURSE. THIS IS RARE. I JUST HAD A GUY COME IN WHO STATED HE WAS GOING TO GO THROUGH WITHDRAWALS FROM HIS METHADONE ADDICITON. HE HAD REAL GOOD VITALS AND HAD NO SYMPTOMS. I ADVISED HIM WE DO TREAT WITHDRAWALS BUT ONLY IF THERE ARE SYMPTOMS. HE ASKED,"WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS"? I SAID"IT'S NOT ANYTHING YOU CAN DO ON PURPOSE". HE GETS UP AND WALKS OUT OF THE EXAM ROOM YELLING, "WELL, THAT WAS A WASTE OF TIME". IF YOUR ASSESSMENT SKILLS ARE TOP NOTCH AND IF YOU ARE A TOUGH BIRD WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR, YOU'LL DO JUST FINE. YOU'LL BE USING YOUR HEAD IN THIS JOB ALOT MORE THAN YOUR PHYSICAL SKILLS. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

coolchik4sure · Jun 25, 2006

Having worked as a nurse for 16 years, and worked in a nursing management position at a medium security prison for males, I have a BAD TASTE in my mouth for correstional nursing. No truer statement has ever been uttered than "Department of Corruptions".

Law suits are numerous in prison settings but b/c inmates lack any validity r/t the mere fact they are inmates, they RARELY go anywhere. Every Department of Corrections has a legal department, known as "General Council" in many states, that employees attorneys to handle ALL cases brought against the department and it's employess. I am more concerned with suits out in the general public, where people are considered "credible" and have WAY more rights than the incarcerated.

My disgust in correctional nursing comes from the lack of compassion and humanity that I witnessed day after day after day. Treat them however, they are ONLY INMATES! I found this to be the deal breaker in working in corrections..obviously I took a different oath upon completion of my schooling than many others. :confused:

Purplish · Jun 26, 2006

Thanks for your input.

I believe this is somwhere I can make a difference.

coolchik4sure · Jun 26, 2006

thanks for your input.
i believe this is somwhere i can make a difference.

i think so and wish you the very best.

this is one area of nursing that desperately needs

compassionate, knowledegeable individuals.

you will be great!

nurse1972 · Jun 27, 2006

I was doing some research the other night in regards to MRSA in the prison setting and I found a few suits filed by inmates against the facility, doctors, nurses and anyone else they could think of. I did see where they where awarded some money but didn't really pay attention to who they found guilty.

The claim was that the medical professionals didn't give adequate care and let these individuals suffer for extended periods of time with wounds that were not being treated effectively.

I don't think there anymore suits in corrections than in any other part of nursing. Of course having your own Liability Insurance is always a good idea. If you are prudent and follow protocols, are fair, firm and consistent you shouldn't have too many problems.

coolchik4sure · Jul 1, 2006

those suits made headlines. the legitimacy of the cases was based on

the long lapse in care and improper measures to eradicate the cause of the mrsa in living areas.

many of these inmates suffered horribly...loss of appendages, loss of life!

i was doing some research the other night in regards to mrsa in the prison setting and i found a few suits filed by inmates against the facility, doctors, nurses and anyone else they could think of. i did see where they where awarded some money but didn't really pay attention to who they found guilty.
the claim was that the medical professionals didn't give adequate care and let these individuals suffer for extended periods of time with wounds that were not being treated effectively.
i don't think there anymore suits in corrections than in any other part of nursing. of course having your own liability insurance is always a good idea. if you are prudent and follow protocols, are fair, firm and consistent you shouldn't have too many problems.

texascowgirl · Jul 4, 2006

Every tine I have had a convict threaten to sue me, I always reply "Well, I hope you get a lawyer as good as the one who got you in here!" BWAHAHAHAHA AINT SKEERED!

texascowgirl · Jul 4, 2006

Catarina,

If you are considering working for TDCJ (Texas Dept of Criminal Justice), you will be blessed-Texas knows how to run prisons. I cant wait to get back to Texas prisons. Here in Georgia, the inmates run the prisons and the CO's have no backbone. Which unit are ya fixin' to go to?

RNOkie · Aug 8, 2006

.

RNOkie · Aug 8, 2006

Cowgirl,I love your comebacks. I just started in DOC nursing, and still am having a hard time remembering that I don't have to jump when they complain that the oatmeal is cold like you do in hosp. I'm so naive about things and have never worked psych nursing. I do get disgusted with the lack of compassion, however, I have a killer DON that is adament that the sick get treated.. The PA is another story, but in Ok, the DON(health scvs admin) outranks him and I go over his head alot. My main thing is the cons/games. I take every one at face value,(because for 11 yrs. I worked in a place that if someone said this and this is wrong, then that's what is wrong.) and simply can't catagorize evey inmate into one lump sum. DUI's, hot checks, ect are not the same as molesters. I don't read their jackets anymore because I lose objectivity and can't do my job correctly if i know what they're in for. But, if I start with the suspicious minds thing, i'll be so paranoid on the outside I'll end up on the inside for homocide if someone tries to shake my hand. How do I get past that? I'm not in security, and my mind doesn't work that way Any suggestions?? By the way BOOMER SOONER!!

Palmo · Aug 8, 2006

Actually I have to say that the lack of compassion varies...facility to facility...and staff...

Another note to add to that....if those who DO show compassion get disgusted and all leave then no one will be left who does.

Another note to add: in regard to CO "backbone" there has to be a "happy medium"...working in the Florida State Correctional system is like Texas...that is good in some ways...but I found alot of the staff very nasty and lacking in any compassion....that goes for the way that they treat each other...not all...VS...the jail near Phila. I am at right now....there is more professionalism but the security at this particular place needs alot of work...why can't I get both? :)