Fourth Circuit Precedent on Transgender Inmate Healthcare
The 2013 Fourth Circuit decision established that denial of medically necessary gender confirmation surgery, in the face of documented risks of self-harm and contravention of accepted medical standards, constitutes an Eighth Amendment violation. The court found that the plaintiff's allegations sufficiently demonstrated deliberate indifference to a serious medical need.
Summary
The 2013 Fourth Circuit Court ruling established that a transgender inmate's claim of an Eighth Amendment violation was valid. This was due to prison officials' disregard for established medical protocols. Specifically, the denial of a surgical evaluation, coupled with a demonstrated high risk of self-harm, constituted a violation.
Summary
A 2013 court case in the Fourth Circuit found that a transgender inmate had a valid Eighth Amendment claim. The claim was based on prison officials ignoring standard medical practices. Specifically, the officials refused to evaluate the inmate for gender confirmation surgery, despite a serious risk of self-harm.
Summary
In 2013, a court case in the Fourth Circuit said a transgender person in prison could sue. The prison guards weren't following medical rules. They refused to check if the inmate needed surgery, even though the inmate was at risk of hurting themselves. This was against the Eighth Amendment, which protects people from cruel and unusual punishment.