When the Department of Children and Families (DCF) becomes involved in your family’s life, it can be confusing and unsettling. If you have been accused of medical neglect in a Ridgefield DCF case, one of our experienced lawyers can guide you throughout the legal process.
Mark Sherman Law has dedicated attorneys who advocate for parents every day. If you have been accused of a lack of proper care, we will fight for you and investigate your case to ensure your legal rights are protected.
Medical neglect occurs when parents unreasonably delay or refuse to provide their child with necessary or recommended medical treatment, resulting in harm or risk of harm where treatment benefits outweigh treatment risks. This can include lack of proper medical, dental, or mental health care. A parent failing to provide agreed-upon treatments or choosing to administer unproven remedies can also be cause for an investigation into medical neglect.
When a claim of medical neglect is made in Ridgefield, the Department of Children and Families will begin an investigation to determine if the child’s well-being and safety are at risk due to the lack of health care treatment. The inquiry will include investigating missed appointments, speaking with medical professionals, and reviewing medical records. If you are facing neglect allegations from DCF, our passionate attorneys can assist in answering your questions.
When there is an allegation of a lack of proper health care in Ridgefield, the Department of Children and Families will investigate the claim against you. If there is an immediate safety concern for your child, the court may issue an Order of Temporary Custody. An Order of Temporary Custody allows DCF to remove your child temporarily, but a hearing must be scheduled with the court within 10 days after the child is removed.
At that time, a judge will determine if the removal is necessary or if your child can return home under specific conditions. The court will then schedule additional hearings to discuss the status of the case and will allow you as the parent to contest the allegations. During this time, you are given a reunification plan with steps and services that you must complete in order to have your child returned to your home.
If the reunification plan is not successful, DCF must seek an alternative permanent plan within nine months. DCF must prove that it is probable that you neglected your child by not meeting their medical needs.
You as a parent have several rights when DCF accuses you of medical neglect, including:
Our knowledgeable Ridgefield attorneys can explain the many rights you retain when you are involved in a DCF lack-of-proper-medical-care charge.
Being investigated for medical neglect in a Ridgefield DCF case can be challenging. You probably have a lot of questions but are not sure who you can trust to answer them honestly. If you are facing allegations of healthcare neglect, you should call our experienced attorneys to help protect your legal interests.
The lawyers at Mark Sherman Law can investigate and help defend you at all stages of the DCF proceedings. We are the only firm in the area that has a former DCF investigator on our staff, and we understand the legal process. Read some of the 300+ certified reviews from satisfied past clients on our Avvo.com profile and contact our team today to discuss your case.
