Metro Corrections employees, a medical provider, and others, have been named in a wrongful death lawsuit in regards to an inmate who's medical needs were largely ignored and she died within hours of her incarceration, as reported by WDRB from Louisville, Ky.
The suit was filed on March 4 in Jefferson Circuit Court and claims that both the medical care company and the jail failed to provide appropriate medical care to L.P., 33. The director of Metro Corrections, M.B., along with Corizon, the private medial care company, are defendants in the case. M.B. is named for failing to insure that his staff had been properly trained.
The Louisville Metro Police, via their Public Integrity Unit, investigated L.P.'s July 2012 death. The unit determined that though there was no criminal conduct, both defendants were criticized for the care they provided L.P.
According to the lawyer representing the estate of L.P., Brandon Lawrence, "The jail gave them no information" in regards to L.P.'s care prior to her sudden death.
M.B. has claimed that L.P. died due to natural causes. Due to the ongoing litigation no further comment was made from either M.B. or Bill Patterson, the Corizon spokesman.
The lawsuit is seeking a trial by jury, and both compensatory and punitive damages.
In 2012 seven inmates died while in Metro Corrections. Each death was investigated and none warranted criminal charges.
In 2013 Corizon failed to rebid for their $5.5 million annual contract with Metro. Corizon had been the medical provider for the jail for nearly two decades.
The Jefferson Commonwealth's Attorney's office and the police investigators determined that Corizon had not recommended that L.P. enter jail due to her health on July 21, 2012. They witnessed her arriving via stretcher from Jewish Hospital – and noted that she was so weak that she could not stand up on her own and her legs seeped a yellow-colored fluid.
However, Metro Corrections Deputy Director D.C. overrode Corizon. D.C. ordered that L.P. be booked. When D.C. was interviewed by investigators after L.P.'s death he told them he was unaware of how seriously ill L.P. was.
According to Metro police, after only 27 hours at Metro Corrections, L.P. died at University Hospital. Investigators stated that L.P. had been diagnosed with liver failure and congestive heart failure – and never should have been transferred into a jail at all.
Corizon stated that L.P. needed more care than they were prepared to provide in the jail.
During the time in jail L.P. was also denied her medications.
Forensic examiner Dr. W.S. concluded that overriding Corizon and booking L.P. into jail "directly compromised (her) health and welfare." He also added that failing to provide her medication, or have a jail physician examine her, also "contributed to her death."
At one point during her incarceration a charge nurse called in the jail doctor after noting that L.P. "was not an appropriate fit for level of care at the jail." However the jail doctor "refused" to have her taken to a hospital for care.
Whatever the reason for your loved one's wrongful death, contact a personal injury lawyer for help. A trial by judge or jury can often result in a monetary award.