At Collins & Collins, P.C., we are deeply committed to defending the most vulnerable members of society—our children. When institutions meant to protect them instead become places of harm, our legal team steps in to restore justice and advocate for their rights. The unfortunate reality is that many children suffer serious injuries through abuse, neglect, and unsafe conditions under the care of facilities tasked with their protection. These injuries can have devastating effects on their physical and mental health, with repercussions that may last a lifetime.
Understanding the Types of Injuries Children Suffer
Children in institutional settings like juvenile detention centers, group homes, or foster care may be subjected to various forms of mistreatment:
– Physical Injuries: This can range from harsh physical punishment to dangerous restraints, often under the guise of control or discipline.
– Unsafe Living Conditions: Overcrowding, unsanitary environments, and a lack of basic safety measures create perilous living conditions for young residents.
– Medical Neglect: Failure to provide essential medical care or inappropriate use of medications to manage behavior are alarmingly common, often exacerbating existing health issues.
– Emotional and Psychological Harm: Tactics such as isolation, verbal abuse, and manipulation severely impact children’s self-esteem and mental well-being.
– Sexual Abuse: Poor supervision and inadequate safety protocols contribute to a setting where abuse by caregivers or peers can occur with distressing frequency.
Identifying Responsibility
The responsibility for these deplorable conditions can often be traced back to:
– Institutional Failures: Facilities lacking proper oversight and training, leading to neglect and abuse.
– For-Profit Motivations: Companies prioritizing profit over the welfare of children, resulting in cost-cutting measures that compromise child safety.
– Negligent Caregivers: Individuals who exploit their positions of authority to inflict harm, often without consequence due to inadequate oversight.
Legal Recourse and Advocacy
Children and their families are not without recourse. Collins & Collins, P.C. leverages extensive legal expertise under the NM Tort Claims Act, NM Civil Rights Act, NM Human Rights Act, ADA, Rehab Act, and Section 1983 to challenge these injustices. Our firm’s rich history of dealing with similar issues in prisons, jails, and with their contractors provides us with a unique perspective and approach to tackling institutional abuse in settings housing vulnerable children.
Contact Collins & Collins, P.C.
If your child or a child you know has suffered in these environments, it is crucial to recognize that there are legal pathways available. We urge you to reach out to us. Together, we can pursue justice and foster change to ensure such abuses are corrected and prevented. Our commitment is to make safety and care for every child a priority, ensuring that their rights are always protected and upheld.
Conclusion
At Collins & Collins, P.C., we believe in making a substantial difference through legal action and advocacy. No child should suffer in silence. By partnering with families and communities, we strive to create safer environments where children can thrive away from harm. Let us help protect those who cannot protect themselves.