What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
I am a Marine Corps veteran. I recently went into the West LA VA Medical center for emergency treatment of a pre-existing liver ailment. A psychologist made the decision to put me on a 72-hour hold allegedly due to my mental history as contained in my file. They then put me on a 14-day hold involuntarily without justification beyond my file's history, principally because it was a holiday weekend and regular, competent staff was not available. I was placed in a prison-like setting with inmates who were, frankly, frightening. I was left fearing for my life. When the regular staff returned, I was suddenly, and without explanation, released, without EVER having being provided any sort of psychological care or evaluation. I was held against my will not with cause, but because it was a holiday. One's civil rights DO NOT go on holiday, ever. I was tormented and have suffered irreparable damage forcing me to delay the pursuit of my life's dream: studying physics at University of California Santa Barbara. I was forced to drop out of college, and my disability now renders me unable to take care of myself financially.
Frankly, I am intimidate by the VA and the psychologists power to hold me against my will. I've acquired a copy of my medical records and they reveal gross incompetence, cover-up, and what I see as malpractice (though I do not know the law concerning mental ailments). I do not see how a mental ailment differs so significantly from a physical that they can essentially invent reasoning on the fly when they have none. I am looking to get justice for this, but I am a college student with no access to the funds needed to pursue it. I would like to know, firstly, if there appears to be a legal violation here. And, if so, I would like to know if anyone is aware of where I can go to get the assistance I need in pursuing this legally. Thanks.
I am a Marine Corps veteran. I recently went into the West LA VA Medical center for emergency treatment of a pre-existing liver ailment. A psychologist made the decision to put me on a 72-hour hold allegedly due to my mental history as contained in my file. They then put me on a 14-day hold involuntarily without justification beyond my file's history, principally because it was a holiday weekend and regular, competent staff was not available. I was placed in a prison-like setting with inmates who were, frankly, frightening. I was left fearing for my life. When the regular staff returned, I was suddenly, and without explanation, released, without EVER having being provided any sort of psychological care or evaluation. I was held against my will not with cause, but because it was a holiday. One's civil rights DO NOT go on holiday, ever. I was tormented and have suffered irreparable damage forcing me to delay the pursuit of my life's dream: studying physics at University of California Santa Barbara. I was forced to drop out of college, and my disability now renders me unable to take care of myself financially.
Frankly, I am intimidate by the VA and the psychologists power to hold me against my will. I've acquired a copy of my medical records and they reveal gross incompetence, cover-up, and what I see as malpractice (though I do not know the law concerning mental ailments). I do not see how a mental ailment differs so significantly from a physical that they can essentially invent reasoning on the fly when they have none. I am looking to get justice for this, but I am a college student with no access to the funds needed to pursue it. I would like to know, firstly, if there appears to be a legal violation here. And, if so, I would like to know if anyone is aware of where I can go to get the assistance I need in pursuing this legally. Thanks.
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