DocketNumber: No. 127097
Citation Numbers: 1996 Conn. Super. Ct. 4643, 17 Conn. L. Rptr. 211
Judges: SULLIVAN, J.
Filed Date: 6/10/1996
Status: Non-Precedential
Modified Date: 4/18/2021
The third count of the complaint is brought against Commissioner of the Department of Mental Retardation. The third count incorporates the first seven paragraphs of the first count, setting forth the claim of numerous physical assaults. The third count, Paragraph 9a and 9b then claims two specific allegations of common law negligence. The negligent placing of the ward in the facility where she knew or should have known that the ward's safety and well being would be endangered; and failure to properly supervise the group home knowing that the residents were incapable of properly protecting themselves from harm.
Paragraph 12 of the third count then states:
As a further result of the negligence and carelessness of the Defendant Commissioner as set forth aforesaid, the plaintiff was caused to suffer the deprivation of her civil rights without due process of law in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §
17a-238 (a), all to her great loss and damage.
The defendant Commissioner of the Department of Mental Retardation moves to dismiss "the Third Count against him, to the extent that it alleges violation of Conn. Gen. Stat. §
DISCUSSION
General Statutes §
(a) Any claim for damages . . . shall be brought as a civil action against the commissioners in their official capacities.
In 1983, the Supreme Court dealt with the question of governmental immunity as related to the statute,
We review the trial court's decision to grant the state defendants' motion to dismiss, then, under the assumption that Duguay's injuries were due to the negligence and carelessness of the state defendants.
Duguay v. Hopkins,
We conclude, therefore that §
19a-24 was intended by the legislature to apply to apply to all civil action against the commissioner of mental retardation or any member of their staffs. By its enactment the legislature has waived sovereign immunity of the state in those cases to which the statute applies.
Duguay v. Hopkins, supra, p. 232 (emphasis added.)
General Statutes §
In the matter of Duguay v. Hopkins, supra, the Supreme Court dealt with a claim of common law negligence and hence determined that the statute,
The defendant contrasts this statute to the statutes pertaining to persons hospitalized or treated in any public or private facility for the mentally ill, General Statutes
The defendant further asserts that General Statute
The argument advanced by the defendant is to the effect that the statute is simply a guarantee of humane and dignified treatment to any person admitted to the Commissioner's care and custody. The argument appears to be that because, arguendo, the statute, §
The guaranty under the two statutes, i e. mental health and mental retardation, is practically identical to wit:
17a-238 (a) No person placed or treated under the direction of the commissioner of mental retardation in any public pr [or] private facility shall be deprived of any CT Page 4647 personal, property or civil rights, except in accordance with due process of law.
17a-541 No patient treated in any public or private facility for the treatment of persons with mental illness shall be deprived of any personal, property or civil rights . . . except in accordance with due process of law, . . .
The Supreme Court has spoken clearly and decisively concerning the effect of General Statutes §
They maintain, however, that in the absence of relevant legislative history, the legislature must be presumed to have intended only a narrow circumscribed guarantee of compassionate care. We are unpersuaded.
Mahoney v. Lensink,
In enacting § 17-206c, the legislature created a statutory cause of action that established a new tort liability, unknown to the common law, and therefore independent of common law negligence.
Mahoney v. Lensink, supra, p. 563. (Emphasis added.)
The Appellate Court was correct in holding that the trial court had jurisdiction to hear this case.
Mahoney v. Lensink, supra, p. 562.
We are persuaded, therefore, that the federally recognized right to treatment and to a safe environment applies to all patients within state mental health facilities without regard to the voluntary or involuntary nature of their confinement.
The court perceives no significant difference between the mandate of General Statutes