The family of a man who died while in the custody of the Richmond County Jail filed a pair of Virginia wrongful death lawsuits against the facility and a doctor who oversaw the care of inmates. Each of the suits is seeking $10.4 million in damages.
Reports indicate the victim was booked into the jail on August 23, 2010. During his time at the facility, the victim refused to eat on several occasions. Nearly two weeks later, officers found the victim lying naked in the floor of his cell. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was treated for acute kidney failure; however, the victim’s case was so advanced, doctors had to amputate the victim’s right leg. The 41-year-old man eventually fell into a coma and died a short time later on September 10th, 2010.
According to UPI News, the family filed the suits claiming the doctor and jail staff was directly responsible for the loss of their loved one because they had failed to offer the victim proper treatment of his conditions and had not intervened when the prisoner refused to eat.
The Richmond personal injury lawyers with Geoff McDonald & Associates recognize how difficult the loss of a loved one to an unforeseen accident can be. The firm is hopeful a decision in the cases will bring the family of the victim a sense of closure to their loss.