Family Of DeKalb County Jail Inmate Files Lawsuit Alleging Negligence And Civil Rights Violations

The family of a 27-year-old Army veteran has filed a federal personal injury lawsuit after he died in a DeKalb County Jail in Georgia. According to their lawsuit, the decedent repeatedly asked for medical help while he was in custody. His pleas, however, were ignored. His death, argues the family, could have been prevented.

Attorneys for the plaintiff say that the case highlights a broader pattern of medical neglect and a lack of oversight inside jails. This problem isn’t just related to Georgia, either. It’s a country-wide issue. While the lawsuit is gaining national attention, it’s fueling renewed calls for reform in the way correctional facilities handle health emergencies.

What happened? 

According to the plaintiff’s complaint, the decedent was arrested earlier this year and booked into the DeKalb County Jail. There, he began experiencing severe chest pain and shortness of breath. His fellow inmates reported that the decedent repeatedly called for help. They say he could not breathe and required medical attention. Despite this, the jail staff failed to respond promptly or take his symptoms seriously.

By the time medical personnel responded, the decedent had collapsed and gone into cardiac arrest. He was transported to a local hospital, where doctors determined he suffered a severe anoxic brain injury due to a lack of oxygen. He spent several days on life support, but ultimately died as a result of his injuries.

Understanding the lawsuit 

The lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, names the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, the jail’s private medical contractor, and several individual staffers as defendants. According to the case, they are accused of gross negligence, deliberate indifference to medical needs, and violations of the decedent’s constitutional rights under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments.

Broader legal context 

In Georgia and across the U.S., jails and prisons have a constitutional obligation to provide medical care to inmates. Courts have consistently held that “deliberate indifference” to serious medical needs constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.

Proving these cases, however, can be complex. Plaintiffs are required to show that officials knew about and disregarded an excessive risk to the inmate’s health. Evidence generally comes from witness statements, surveillance footage, medical logs, and internal reports. These records can sometimes be difficult to obtain without the threat of a lawsuit.

The decedent’s family is hoping that their lawsuit will uncover how long jail staff delayed responding and whether proper medical protocols were followed.

Talk to a Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer Today 

Gillette Law represents the interests of Georgia residents who have been injured or killed due to negligence. Call our Georgia personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.