pexels-rdne-stock-project-6519848Fentanyl Overdose Listed As Suspected Cause of Death For 36-Year-Old Inmate In Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (August 20, 2024) – A 36-year-old inmate has tragically died from a suspected overdose while in custody at a Los Angeles County jail.

Los Angeles County officials are saying that the incident took place on Tuesday. Correctional officers noticed that an inmate was showing signs of an overdose.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the inmate. Despite life-saving measures, he was later pronounced dead.

The incident was listed as an “accident” by jail officials. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Inmate Overdose Deaths

Drug overdoses remain a leading cause of inmate deaths. Fentanyl can be particularly deadly. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a prescription drug that is also made and used illegally. Like morphine, it is a medicine that is typically used to treat patients with severe pain, especially after surgery.” There are several signs that an inmate is going through a fentanyl overdose.

  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Shallow breathing
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Cold or clammy skin
  • Limp body

A jail or private healthcare provider could be liable for the death of an inmate in their care. Inmates have a constitutional right to receive reasonably adequate care for all of their medical conditions. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. There are a number of ways that a jail may have shown indifference towards an inmate.

  • Correctional officers may not have gotten inmates medical treatment in a timely manner.
  • Correctional officers may have failed to give an inmate Narcan or take other measures to alleviate an overdose.
  • Correctional officers may have failed to follow the instructions of medical officers.

Inmate deaths are often highly preventable. They tend to occur in jails that are overcrowded or have other systemic problems. When a jail is overcrowded, this can impact the care that all inmates receive. The family of an inmate who died in custody may have legal recourse through a civil claim. A civil rights attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Getting Legal Help After An Inmate Overdose Death

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of the inmate who died at this jail. Any person who may know more about what happened should reach out to investigators. The number of overdose deaths in Los Angeles County jails remains deeply concerning.

Do you need more information about a Los Angeles County inmate overdose death? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that inmates are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to our office anytime at (949) 825-5200.

 

 

 

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