Restraint Injuries: DCF Psychiatric Facilities
Using restraints on children can be dangerous – even deadly. They should only be used in cases where physical harm is imminent. Yet, while the use of physical restraints has decreased at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families’ psychiatric facilities, reports show that they are still used frequently, causing injury to children.
DCF has two psychiatric facilities with children residents – Riverview Hospital in Middletown and Connecticut Children’s Place in East Windsor. At Riverview, there were 878 restraint incidents in 2010. At Connecticut Children’s Place, there were 29 restraints used every 1,000 client days.
In 2010, restraints caused serious injuries to three children. Injuries caused by restraints on children can include large bruises, broken limbs, sprained ankles, lacerations, even death.
Serious injuries to children most frequently occur when workers use prone restraints, a type of restraint that pushes the child face-down against a floor, table or other surface. Prone restraints killed at least 48 children in the U.S. between 1998 and 2006. While the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services now forbids use of these restraints against children in their care, DCF has yet to ban them.
Injuries in DCF Foster Care
The Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) may be held liable for some of the injuries that occur while the children are in its care. Connecticut foster care is another place that injuries can occur. If a child is injured in a foster home, DCF may be found liable for placing that child in danger.
DCF must carefully screen foster parents to ensure that the parents will keep children safe. If DCF learns of any form of neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse or other potential danger to children in foster homes, it must act quickly to intervene. If it fails to do so, it may be responsible for a child’s injuries.
Bringing a Lawsuit Against DCF
Bringing a lawsuit against DCF can be difficult since, as a government agency, DCF has limited immunity from lawsuits. An experienced Connecticut personal injury attorney can help you determine whether you are able to bring a personal injury claim against DCF or other parties involved.
Source: The Connecticut Monitor, “Restraints Still Cause Injuries in DCF Psychiatric Facilities”
Please contact me to discuss DCF injuries to children.