SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF PUTNAM
-----------------------------------------------X VICTORIA GAINES, Plaintiff, DECISION & ORDER
- against - Index No. 456/97
PUTNAM HOSPITAL CENTER,
Defendant. -------------------------------------------------X HICKMAN, J.
is granted and plaintiff shall not be charged
for an index number or Request for Judicial Intervention
or any other filing or service fees.
The application does not seek appointment of pro bono counsel
nor would same be granted. Inasmuch as no complaint
has yet been filed, this disposes of the matter
on the Court's calendar.
No further motions may be made without the permission
of the Court granted upon written, non-ex parte request.
So ordered.
S. BARRETT HICKMAN, J.S.C.
DATED: July 24, 1997
Carmel, New York
TO: Victoria Gaines
Carl Lodes, Esq.
Putnam County Attorney
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VICTORIA GAINES , Plaintiff |
(Petitioner) |
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| AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF
| APPLICATION FOR WAIVER
| OF FILING AND SERVICE
v. | FEES AND COSTS AND
| TO PROCEED AS A POOR
| PERSON
PUTNAM HOSPITAL CENTER , Defendant |
(Respondent) |
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____________________________________________________|
The undersigned, being duly sworn, says:1. I am the plaintiff or petitioner in this case.
This statement is made in support of my request
(a) for waiver of the index number feeand/or any other filing and service fees and costs,
and(b) to proceed in this case as a poor person.
2. I support myself and 0 - n others in my household.
3. My only source of income is (check one):
[ ] Public assistance
[ ] Social security/SSI
[xxx] Other checking account for $2500
4. The amount of income I receive each month is $ $0
5. Check one of the items below:
[ ]I do not have a bank account.6. I own the following property which has an estimated
[xxx] I have a bank account with approximately $2500 in the account.
value as indicated: [IF NONE, WRITE "NONE"]
LIST PROPERTY VALUE
51 shares of IBM stock @ $7,500
1986 Mercury Sable @ $1,500
7. I have no other savings, property or assets.
8. I am unable to pay the costs, fees and expensesnecessary to assert my rights in this case.
9. No one else who is able to pay any requiredcosts and fees has a beneficial interest in the
results of this case.
10. The facts of my case are described in my court papers,which are attached.
11. I have made no prior request for this relief in this case.
WHEREFORE, I request (a) that all fees relatingto the filing and service of this action
or proceeding be waived, and (b) that I be
permitted to proceed in this case in all respects
as a poor person.
Sworn to before me(Signature)
this 6th day of March, 1997.
KATHLEEN S. JONES
Notary Public, State of New York
No. 6O-4614OO6
Qualified in Westchester County
Commission Expires August 30, 1997
___________________________________________________
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VICTORIA GAINES , Plaintiff |
(Petitioner) |
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| AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF
| APPLICATION FOR WAIVER
| OF FILING AND SERVICE
v. | FEES AND COSTS AND
| TO PROCEED AS A POOR
| PERSON
PUTNAM HOSPITAL CENTER , Defendant |
(Respondent) |
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____________________________________________________|
(a) I, Victoria. D. Gaines, on behalf of myselfand every other such poor, allegedly mentally ill
person who was/is: denied the legal right to refuse
psychiatric medical treatment and is, therefore,
often too incapacitated by psychiatric drugs;
wishing to forget the degrading, dehumanizing
experience of involuntary commitment as fully
and as quickly as possible; unaware of what
misrepresentations may exist in their hospital
records; ignorant of U.S. Constitutional and NYS
Mental Hygiene Laws; too poor and lacking contacts
or resources to secure a reasonably competent lawyer
to represent them in their legal fight for their dignity
and right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
while hospitalized; and who is also too poor upon discharge
to seek legal redress for the wrongs perpetrated against
them while hospitalized by those in positions of power,
do make this ardent appeal for waiver of filing and
service fees and costs and to proceed as a poor person.
This appeal is made especially on behalf of all peopleof color and women (especially those who have been
involuntarily committed after verbal, emotional and/or
physical abuse) who have found ourselves abused in domestic
relations, victimized by the dehumanizing prejudices against
us in the society atlarge, and then when involuntarily
committed find ourselves subsequently once again abused
by the psychiatric profession and/or judicial system.
The aforementioned castes/classes of persons are the majorones beneficially interested in any recovery sought, but
all members of such castes/classes are not necessarily
unable to pay costs,fees and expenses.
3. I have very limited savings (IRAs and a six-monthexpenses' nest egg). Due to my hospitalization and my
current living arrangements,
I have yet to returnto work and the funds in my checking account are quickly
dwindling. I am currently attempting to secure a position
working on my legal case as I speak to different
organizations. When I find employment I will be able
to pay for some court expenses.
I have contacted two law firms that informed me
they believe I have a good case but a very expensive one
to pursue, therefore, I am also currently in the process of
contacting political groups to which I once belonged, and
other law firms, which might be able to help support me
in my suit against Putnam Hospital Center, Et Al.
5. I claim Putnam Hospital Center acted unethically,unprofessionally and negligently and that Putnam Hospital
Center and others violated my Constitutional and Civil Rights
(I was denied freedom of speech; freedom of religion;
the right to be different; the right to refuse treatment;assaulted and battered; falsely imprisoned; defamed;
discriminated against due to my race, gender, class and
nonconformity; denied true due process; denied the
right to confront my accusers; treated inhumanely; etc.)when I was involuntarily committed and treated against my
will from June 27, 1996 to July 25, 1996.
I have filed an official complaint about my mistreatmentwith the New York State Department of Health
(office located in New Rochelle) and an investigation hasalready commenced.
(See attached letter and copy of Summary of Complaints).
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