Case: U.S. v. New Mexico

86-cv-00932 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico

Filed Date: Aug. 8, 1986

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Case Summary

In August 1986, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997, against the State of New Mexico. The Complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, asked the court for injunctive relief, alleging that the State had failed to protect the constitutional rights of residents of Fort Stanton Hospital and Training School in Fort Stanton, New Mexico, a state-run facility for developmentally …

In August 1986, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997, against the State of New Mexico. The Complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, asked the court for injunctive relief, alleging that the State had failed to protect the constitutional rights of residents of Fort Stanton Hospital and Training School in Fort Stanton, New Mexico, a state-run facility for developmentally disabled individuals. The State failed to provide medical care, to administer medications correctly, and to use physical restraints only when appropriate.

The lawsuit was prompted by an investigation, which began in December 1984, into the conditions at Fort Stanton. Through interviews and tours, the Department found insufficient medical coverage for residents, including only one doctor on duty, an inaccurate record-keeping system, and the use of chemical restraints. The government's report, issued in December 1985, recommended the employment of a sufficient number of medical staff and the modification of medication practices to conform to professional standards.

We have only the Complaint and the December 1985 report in the file, so we have no further information on this case.

Summary Authors

Laura Uberti (7/18/2006)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Joyce, Patrick M. (District of Columbia)

Lawrence, Paul S. (District of Columbia)

Lutz, William L. (New Mexico)

Meese, Edwin III (District of Columbia)

Peabody, Arthur E. Jr. (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

86-cv-00932

Findings Letter re: CRIPA Investigation of Fort Stanton Hosp. & Training School

Dec. 24, 1985

Dec. 24, 1985

Findings Letter/Report

86-cv-00932

Complaint

Aug. 8, 1986

Aug. 8, 1986

Complaint

Docket

Last updated July 10, 2022, 1:01 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: New Mexico

Case Type(s):

Intellectual Disability (Facility)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 8, 1986

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

NDRN/Protection & Advocacy Organizations

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

New Mexico Health and Environment Department, State

Fort Stanton Hospital & Training School, State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Unknown

Nature of Relief:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Issues

General:

Record-keeping

Restraints : chemical

Restraints : physical

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Disability and Disability Rights:

Developmental disability without intellectual disability

Intellectual/developmental disability, unspecified

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, unspecified

Medication, administration of

Type of Facility:

Government-run