pexels-rdne-stock-project-6519848Investigation Underway After 33-Year-Old Inmate Died In Custody At Men’s Central Jail Following Suspected Fentanyl Overdose

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (July 24, 2024) – A 33-year-old inmate has tragically died from a suspected fentanyl overdose while in custody at the Men’s Central Jail.

Los Angeles County officials are saying that the incident took place on Tuesday. Correctional officers noticed that an inmate was unresponsive in his cell.

Jail staff began CPR, and paramedics were called to the scene. Despite life-saving measures, the inmate later died at the jail.

Authorities believe that the death may be due to a fentanyl overdose.

Liability For Los Angeles County Inmate Overdose Deaths 

Fentanyl is an extremely powerful and dangerous opioid. It can be more than 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin. Drug overdoses from fentanyl and other opioids remain a major cause of inmate death. According to PBS News, “The alcohol and drug overdose death rate increased fivefold in prisons from 2009 through 2019, according to a recent study from the Pew Charitable Trusts — a surge that outpaced the national drug overdose rate, which tripled in the same period.” There are a number of signs an inmate was going through an overdose.

  • Slow or irregular heartbeat
  • Blueish lips or fingertips
  • Vomiting
  • Extreme drowsiness

All jails have a legal obligation to provide inmates with adequate care for the duration of their jail stays. Inmates must also get care in the event of a drug overdose. This includes giving inmates Narcan and performing CPR. When these measures are taken, inmates are much more likely to survive. A number of steps should be taken after any in-custody death.

  • Medical records should be preserved.
  • Surveillance footage should be sought.
  • A thorough investigation should be conducted.
  • A civil rights attorney should be contacted.

Protecting inmates from dangerous opioids should start with preventing these drugs from entering jails in the first place. But Los Angeles County jails have done an extremely poor job of preventing inmates from getting a hold of drugs. The family of any person who died from a drug overdose in jail may be able to seek some measure of justice 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 Help After Los Angeles County Inmate Deaths

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man who died in this jail. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Los Angeles County jails need to do more to keep their inmates safe.

Do you need more information about a Los Angeles County inmate’s death? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to help you. We care deeply that inmates are aware of their rights and that jails are accountable for their unconstitutional actions. 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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