Psych Ward Horror Story - Civil Rights Abuses

[Just Blue]

SME21 did use the word "recently" when describing the experience. I agree that how recently the "recently" is matters, however.

SME21 sent me a pm stating this happened in December...whether is was last December s/he didn't say.

 

[quincy]

SME21 sent me a pm stating this happened in December...whether is was last December s/he didn't say.

If December 2020, the statute of limitations would not be a pressing concern yet.

 

[Taxing Matters]

If December 2020, the statute of limitations would not be a pressing concern yet.

But to the extent that OP wishes to pursue state law claims against state or local government agencies and/or individual employees in their official capacity PA law generally provides that the OP must file a written claim with the agency within 6 months of the incident giving rise to the claim. This assumes that the claim is one that would be allowed under PA's sovereign immunity laws. So as much as half that time may have already passed. The sooner the OP sees an attorney on this the better chance he has of preserving and pursuing all of the potential claims the OP might have.

 

[quincy]

But to the extent that OP wishes to pursue state law claims against state or local government agencies and/or individual employees in their official capacity PA law generally provides that the OP must file a written claim with the agency within 6 months of the incident giving rise to the claim. This assumes that the claim is one that would be allowed under PA's sovereign immunity laws. So as much as half that time may have already passed. The sooner the OP sees an attorney on this the better chance he has of preserving and pursuing all of the potential claims the OP might have.

Agree. Seeing an attorney is the best course of action that SME21 can take right now.

 

[SME21]

Literally every attorney I am calling about this is saying it's not something they would pursue for me. My phone service is being hacked, dropping out, being routed to a number I did not call, I don't even know if I can trust these assessments so far.

I believe I may have witnessed something very covert I was not supposed to witness (i.e. some of the patients there were given laser-pointers they were harrasing me with), and now all efforts for me to look into it are being manipulated. My house was broken into, items stolen, car broken into. Something very serious is going on here I'm getting somewhat concerned for my safety.

 

[quincy]

Literally every attorney I am calling about this is saying it's not something they would pursue for me. My phone service is being hacked, dropping out, being routed to a number I did not call, I don't even know if I can trust these assessments so far.

I believe I may have witnessed something very covert I was not supposed to witness (i.e. some of the patients there were given laser-pointers they were harrasing me with), and now all efforts for me to look into it are being manipulated. My house was broken into, items stolen, car broken into. Something very serious is going on here I'm getting somewhat concerned for my safety.

Do you have a personal physician? Perhaps your doctor can make sense of all of this for you.

 

[SME21]

Not a chance I would consider this. Last thing I need after a false mental diagnosis is to perpetuate the efforts of whoever it is gaslighting me. I am trying to fight this diagnosis, not play into it.

 

[quincy]

Not a chance I would consider this. Last thing I need after a false mental diagnosis is to perpetuate the efforts of whoever it is gaslighting me. I am trying to fight this diagnosis, not play into it.

My thinking is that you need a reliable advocate. If you can't find an attorney who will work with you, a physician is a good alternative. I suggest you consider this, at least.

Good luck.

 

[cbg]

You can't see the value of having a doctor confirm that there is nothing wrong with you?

 

[Taxing Matters]

Literally every attorney I am calling about this is saying it's not something they would pursue for me.

Assuming that these are attorneys who litigate civil rights/personal injury claims then that would suggest that you either don't have a good claim or that the money you might get from your claim isn't large enough to make it worthwhile. Not everything wrong that happens to you is something that you can sue for, and even when you can sue what you get from the lawsuit may not be worth the effort and money spent to do it. You might try asking groups that advocate for civil rights, like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) or groups that advocate on behalf of those who are mentally ill to see if they might help you. Note that a group advocating for the mentally ill might be willing to help you even if you don't have a mental illness because what happened to you occurred because people thought you had a mental issue. If those types of organizations won't help you either you may have to accept that there isn't any legal recourse for you here.

 

[quincy]

Here is a link to Pennsylvania ACLU offices:

https://www.aclupa.org/en/about/contact-us

 

[SME21]

I spoke to a disability rights attorney about this situation & they were interested in the case, but I cannot afford the retainer. My due process rights were apparently violated at every step of the process. I must now try to find a way of reporting this on my own.

ACLU & other malpractice attorney only handle cases involving physical injury.

 

[quincy]

I spoke to a disability rights attorney about this situation & they were interested in the case, but I cannot afford the retainer. My due process rights were apparently violated at every step of the process. I must now try to find a way of reporting this on my own.

ACLU & other malpractice attorney only handle cases involving physical injury.

Perhaps you can find an attorney who will work with you on a payment plan or perhaps you can find someone to lend you the money for an attorney.

Personal injury attorneys who believe a case is worth the cost of pursuing will often work on a contingency basis, where they do not get paid unless you get paid. It could be you have a legitimate legal action to pursue but the projected damages that could be awarded do not justify the costs.

I wish you good luck and good health, SME21.