Hennepin County Settles for $3.4m in Jail Death Lawsuit

Hennepin County Settles for $3.4m in Jail Death Lawsuit

Introduction

Hennepin County has agreed to a $3.4 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a man who died in jail, marking one of the largest settlements of its kind in Minnesota history, according to court records.

Symptoms of the victim’s suffering

The victim, a member of a prominent Twin Cities family, was arrested in the early hours of July 18, 2022. Soon after being booked, he began experiencing severe symptoms, including vomiting and intense abdominal pain. Jail records and staff notes revealed that he was suspected of suffering from fentanyl withdrawal. However, his symptoms rapidly worsened over the next three days, during which he repeatedly begged for medical attention.

What the lawsuit said?

According to the lawsuit, the victim, unable to eat and in visible distress, asked multiple times to be taken to the hospital. Surveillance footage showed him crawling on the floor and struggling to stand. Despite his deteriorating condition, jail nurses only administered Maalox and Tylenol instead of arranging for hospital care. On the evening of July 20, he collapsed in a common area, pleading with a nurse, “I need to go to the hospital, I need IV liquid.” His cries for help were reportedly ignored, and his vital signs were checked without further intervention.

The victim’s call for help

At 1:30 a.m. on July 21, the victim used the intercom to call for assistance, screaming, “Help me, help me,” and telling a guard, “My stomach hurts really bad, help me.” A nurse returned, but once again, no hospital transfer was arranged. Hours later, he collapsed in his cell. Jail staff discovered him unresponsive shortly after noon. He was dragged out of his cell, but resuscitation efforts failed.

What did the autopsy revealed?

An autopsy later revealed the cause of death to be a duodenal perforation, a rare but lethal condition in which a perforated ulcer allows bowel contents to leak into the abdomen, causing severe pain and, eventually, death. The lawsuit alleged that timely medical intervention could have saved his life.

Issues highlighted by the incident

The tragedy highlighted broader issues within the Hennepin County jail system. Following this and other recent inmate deaths, the Minnesota Department of Corrections ordered the jail to significantly reduce its inmate population by over 200 due to chronic understaffing and failures to conduct mandatory well-being checks. State inspectors found that the jail had been operating below the minimum required staffing levels, contributing to life-threatening lapses in care.

Hennepin County’s response

In response to the settlement, a Hennepin County spokesperson stated, “The death of [the victim] was a tragedy. Our condolences go out to his family and all those affected by his passing. While this litigation has reached a resolution, we remain committed to serving all individuals under our care with dignity and respect.”

What did the victim’s family responded?

The victim’s family has expressed deep grief over the loss, emphasizing the preventable nature of his death. His mother described the heartbreak of knowing her son’s pleas for help were ignored, calling for systemic reforms to prevent such tragedies from recurring.

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