A man arrested for DUI and held at the Brazoria County Jail (BCDC) in September 09, suffered a stroke, was abused by staff, and both his food and medication were withheld until he died, as alleged in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the man’s wife and reported by the Courthouse News Service.
Named in the suit filed by the widow, S.M.T., are Brazoria County and Sheriff C.W.
L.T., at the time of his detention, according to the suit, “suffered from a number of physical ailments, including diabetes, which required him to take daily medications, and high blood pressure, which required daily medication. Upon his detention in the BCDC, (L.T.) informed the staff, employees of Sheriff (C.W.) and Brazoria County, of his medical conditions and medication needs.”
S.M.T. alleges that L.T. suffered at the hands of BCDC staff that “ignored and failed to provide (L.T.) with necessary medical care. Without his medication and proper medical care, (L.T.) suffered a severe stroke.”
Following L.T.’s stroke, S.M.T. stated that he was taken from the jail to a Houston hospital for several days of treatment – then he was returned to the jail.
The suit states, “As a result of the stroke, (L.T.) suffered certain physical limitations. Specifically, (L.T.) had difficulty walking, talking, chewing or swallowing. These symptoms became progressively worse while in the custody of the defendants. Despite repeated requests from (L.T.) and his wife, defendants refused to provide proper medical care.”
In regards to L.T.’s lessening food consumption while at BCDC, the suit states, “Over the course of a few months (L.T.) lost approximately 70 pounds. (L.T.) was unable to chew or swallow his food. The jailers and staff of the BCDC belittled him and refused to provide him with food or medical care… (L.T.) was required to take several medications. BCDC staff would limit the time for him to swallow his medications, and refuse to give him adequate time given his difficulty swallowing…”
In one instance, per the suit, L.T. was so weakened that he asked jail staff to assist him to use the bathroom. Instead of providing him help, they put a bedpan on the floor by his bed and allegedly told him, “he could not have his medication unless he 'got off his ass, and out of bed.’”
When L.T. filled the bedpan, according to the suit, another jailer got angry about it, accused him of faking his illness, and poured the waste onto L.T.
The suit states that L.T. died on March 12, 2010, while still in custody, “as a result of defendants' total disregard for (L.T.’s) medical care and nutrition.”
Damages for wrongful death and civil rights violations are sought in the lawsuit.
Suffering from the death of a loved one? Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss filing a wrongful death lawsuit if the actions or inactions or someone else is to blame. Oftentimes change, and monetary awards, are the outcome in a lawsuit.