Asked in Criminal Law for Virginia

Q: Can a prison be held respondable for an inmate death cause they didn't get them medical help fast enough?

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2 Lawyer Answers

A: There are ways to bring lawsuits against a prison, such as a suit for under 42 USC s 1983 for the deprivation of civil rights, but these are very fact-dependant. Its best to get a consultation with a civil rights attorney.

A: It is possible, but there are serious limitations to these types of cases. There is some major case law in Virginia on this issue, and an attorney with some familiarity with the law should be able to analyze your facts properly. Certain factors such as purposeful denial of treatment increase the likelihood of a worthwhile case.

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