Investigation Underway After 66-Year-Old Inmate Died From Septic Shock At Los Angeles County Jail

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (August 22, 2024) – A 66-year-old man tragically died in a Los Angeles County jail following a medical emergency.

Los Angeles County officials are saying that the incident took place on Tuesday. Correctional officers noticed that an inmate was in some type of medical distress.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the inmate. He was taken to the Los Angeles General Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

His cause of death was listed as sepsis. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Los Angeles County Inmate Deaths

Jails remain very dangerous places, even in the best of circumstances. According to the Behind Bars Data Project, “In 2020, at least 6,182 people died in U.S. prisons. This is a 46% increase in the lives lost behind bars from 2019, despite a 10% decrease in the overall prison population.” Jails should take a number of measures in order to prevent inmate deaths.

  • Jails should make sure that all of their staff are well trained.
  • Jails should do everything to prevent overcrowding.
  • Jails should be stocked with Narcan.

All jails have a legal obligation to protect inmates from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protecting them from medical illnesses. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. It is crucial that evidence is properly preserved after any inmate’s death.

  • Surveillance footage should be sought.
  • An independent autopsy may need to be performed.
  • Jail records related to the death should be collected.

Inmate deaths are often highly preventable. They tend to occur in jails that are overcrowded. When a jail is overcrowded, this can impact the level of care that all inmates receive. The family of any person who died in a Los Angeles County jail 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.

Investigating California Inmate Deaths

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of the inmate who died at the Los Angeles General Medical Center. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what took place.

Do you need more information about a Los Angeles County inmate’s death? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. 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 us anytime at (949) 825-5200.

 

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