Legal assistance for victims of firearm injuries
Recovery Legal Care Clinical Trial
This study is testing whether providing legal help to people treated for firearm injuries can improve their health and quality of life.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 14 Years to 64 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Chicago Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Trial ID | NCT06618794 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial evaluates a novel Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) integrated with Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs) to address the social and structural determinants of health that contribute to firearm injuries. Participants receiving treatment for violent injuries at the University of Chicago Trauma Center will receive legal assistance alongside standard care to help mitigate legal needs and improve health outcomes. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of this integrated approach in reducing re-victimization, improving quality of life, and alleviating PTSD symptoms and perceived stress among participants.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 14-64 who have received treatment for a violent injury at the University of Chicago Trauma Center.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have a violent injury or are outside the age range of 14-64 may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve health outcomes and reduce the risk of re-victimization for patients affected by firearm injuries.
How similar studies have performed: While the integration of legal assistance into healthcare for trauma patients is novel, similar approaches in other contexts have shown promise in improving health outcomes.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Treatment for a violent injury at the University of Chicago Trauma Center * Ages 14-64 years * Able to provide informed consent (18 years and older) or assent (14-17 years) Inclusion of women and minorities: This research proposal includes women and ethnic minorities. Patient participants will be primarily non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic race and ethnicity. The study expects participants to be proportional to the population-wide estimates for the South Side community. The majority will be low-income with variable functional health literacy. These characteristics are representative of the target population and describe the population most likely to benefit from the proposed study. Youth stakeholder participants will be multi-ethnic and racially diverse. Inclusion of children: This study will include children ages 14-17 years old, based on Illinois state labor laws for child employment, as well as the ages of youth who are primarily treated for penetrating injury at the UCMC trauma center. This age is also a pragmatic cutoff for children providing meaningful input on community and healthcare solutions to violence. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of severe mental illness (i.e., psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, suicidality) * Unable to provide informed consent due to mental status * Prior receipt of legal services at UCMC within the past year * Currently imprisoned or incarcerated * Residing at an Indiana address.
Where this trial is running
Chicago, Illinois
- University of Chicago Medical Center — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Tanya L Zakrison, Md, Mph — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Tanya L Zakrison, MD, MPH
- Email: tzakrison@bsd.uchicago.edu
- Phone: 786-266-2228
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.