Family Of LI Inmate That Died In Jail Files $20M Lawsuit Against County
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The family of an inmate who died at a Long Island jail in 2014 has brought a $20 million federal lawsuit against the county, the jail and a medical provider.
A Commission of Correction report criticized Nassau jail officials and the private health care contractor in the death of 47-year-old Kevin Brown. It said Brown's death could've been prevented had he received proper medical care and supervision. The findings said Brown died from heart failure.
According to the report, Armor Correctional Health Services' deficient care resulted in mismanaged diagnoses. The report also said Armor was negligent because Brown wasn't seen by a doctor after two seizure episodes.
Brown's body, the report said, was in full rigor mortis when he was found in his cell, meaning he had been dead for more than four hours.
Another inmate said he heard Brown banging in his cell for two hours before he was found dead, WCBS 880 reported in November 2015.
A wrongful death suit filed Wednesday in New York says Brown didn't receive necessary medical attention and was deprived of his constitutional rights and his life.
A county attorney says it doesn't comment on pending litigation.
An Armor Correctional Health Services spokeswoman says a court would find Brown received proper care.
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