Case: U.S. v. Solomon

1:74-cv-00181 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: Feb. 21, 1974

Closed Date: 1977

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On February 21, 1974, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The plaintiff asked the district court for declaratory and injunctive relief, alleging that the defendants had violated the constitutional rights of patients at the Rosewood State Hospital (RSH) in Owings Mill, Maryland. RSH was a facility where citizens with intellectual disabilities were confined for the pu…

On February 21, 1974, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The plaintiff asked the district court for declaratory and injunctive relief, alleging that the defendants had violated the constitutional rights of patients at the Rosewood State Hospital (RSH) in Owings Mill, Maryland. RSH was a facility where citizens with intellectual disabilities were confined for the purpose of treatment, and the plaintiff alleged that the defendants had unconstitutionally failed to provide such treatment. The complaint also alleged that the RSH patients were unconstitutionally subjected to insufficient staffing, lack of security (which allowed residents to inflict physical harm on themselves or each other), lack of care for personal hygiene, use of isolation rooms, insufficient sleeping space, lack of sanitation in living/sleeping areas, unpleasant odors, and unsanitary kitchen and laundry facilities.

The defendants made no reply to the plaintiff's complaint, but on April 27, 1976, the defendants asked the district court to dismiss the complaint. On July 8, 1976, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (Judge Edward Skottowe Northrop) dismissed the case, holding that the plaintiff had no authority to bring the lawsuit. U.S. v. Solomon, 419 F.Supp. 358 (D.Md. 1976). The plaintiff appealed.

On October 12, 1977, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (Judge Harrison Lee Winter) affirmed the district court's decision to dismiss the case, holding that the plaintiff had no authority to bring the lawsuit. U.S. v. Solomon, 563 F.2d 1121 (4th Cir. 1977).

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (7/21/2006)

People


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Allen, Frank D. Jr. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Burch, Francis B. (Maryland)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Ajello, Carl R. (Connecticut)

Blewitt, J. Justin (Pennsylvania)

Choate, Thomas W. (Texas)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:74-cv-00181

United States' First Interrogatories from U.S. v. Solomon

June 2, 1974

June 2, 1974

Discovery Material/FOIA Release

1:74-cv-00181

Reported Opinion

US v. Solomon

July 8, 1976

July 8, 1976

Order/Opinion

419 F.Supp. 419

76-02184

Brief for the United States

US v. Solomon

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Dec. 1, 1976

Dec. 1, 1976

Pleading / Motion / Brief

76-02184

Brief of Defendants-Appellees

US v. Solomon

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Dec. 29, 1976

Dec. 29, 1976

Pleading / Motion / Brief

76-02184

Brief for the Comonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of Connecticut as Amici Curiae

US v. Solomon

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Dec. 30, 1976

Dec. 30, 1976

Pleading / Motion / Brief

76-02184

Reply Brief for Plaintiff

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Jan. 19, 1977

Jan. 19, 1977

Pleading / Motion / Brief

76-02184

Reported Opinion

US v. Solomon

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Oct. 12, 1977

Oct. 12, 1977

Order/Opinion

563 F.2d 563

Docket

Last updated March 27, 2024, 3:07 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Maryland

Case Type(s):

Intellectual Disability (Facility)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 21, 1974

Closing Date: 1977

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (Owings Mill), State

Case Details

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

General:

Aggressive behavior

Bathing and hygiene

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Sanitation / living conditions

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Confinement/isolation

Disability and Disability Rights:

Intellectual/developmental disability, unspecified

Medical/Mental Health:

Intellectual disability/mental illness dual diagnosis

Mental health care, general

Suicide prevention

Type of Facility:

Government-run