Hepatitis C has become an epidemic in California prisons, infecting approximately 40% of inmates. It is a serious infection of the liver which can be transmitted through intravenous drug use, tattooing, or use of contaminated therapeutic blood products. When Hepatitis C treatment is ignored it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and cancer of the liver.

Although treatment plans are available for most genotypes of Hepatitis C, The California Department of Corrections has been delaying treatment to inmates. When treatment options are not explored immediately, Hepatitis C may cause additional damage to the liver.

Hepatitis C is broken down into four stages for classification, and treatment can be very effective if taken in the early stages of the illness. However, some prisons are requiring that the disease be at a stage greater than Stage II before treatment options are explored. Oftentimes, treatment at this stage can be too late. Such conduct is considered inhumane and is a violation of prisoners' rights to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, as described in the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution

If you were an inmate, or know of an inmate in California that did not receive proper treatment for Hepatitis C, please contact Khorrami Pollard & Abir for a free consultation.