‘Forgotten’ inmate gets $15.5 million

It can sometimes be difficult to fathom the complete and utter failure of government when it comes to the civil rights of Americans.  And there is perhaps an innocent and naive expectation of a certain respect shown to all citizens (not just the wealthy and powerful) by their government.  The attorneys at Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA, believe that in most cases, law enforcement officers do a remarkably good job and are under appreciated.  In fact, our firm regularly cooperates with law enforcement and one of our attorneys recently assisted in surrendering a weapon which had been registered stolen to authorities, avoiding further incident.

However, there are occasions when things go terribly wrong.  As was seen in a recent case where a New Mexico jail held a man in solitary confinement for (22) months without a conviction.  Not a jail deep in Russia or even Guantanamo – this happened in New Mexico.  The man was awarded $15.5 million dollars for the time in jail and the record reveals the conditions were so bad that he pulled one of his own teeth due to a lack of proper medical care.  CNN reports that the underlying DUI charge was ultimately dropped.

CNN JUSTICE Forgotten inmate gets $15.5 million settlement

Federal and state civil rights laws protect citizens against this type of incredibly offensive abuse and the personal injury attorneys at Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA in Pensacola, Fort Walton, and Mobile, Alabama, have worked with numerous victims of abuse by law enforcement, prisons, and jails.  Citizens have an obligation to stand up to their government to stop civil rights violations.  Edmund Burke is often associated with the statement, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”  He is right.  If you believe that your civil rights have been violated and that you have suffered personal injuries as a result, don’t assume that someone else will stand up to the government.  You are urged to contact Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA for a no-cost consultation.  Our firm isn’t afraid to stand up to the powerful.