Anoka County Settles With Former Inmate In Civil Suit Over Lack Of Medical Care

Anoka County Settles With Former Inmate In Civil Suit Over Lack Of Medical Care

Anoka County has agreed to a $2.75 million settlement with a former inmate who filed a civil suit alleging inadequate medical care during his incarceration.

Robins Kaplan LLP, representing the former inmate, Deyonta Green, announced the settlement on Feb. 4. The firm stated that Mr. Green was denied access to critical healthcare while incarcerated at Anoka County Jail, resulting in severe and long-lasting injuries.

Anoka County has agreed to a $2.75 million settlement in a federal lawsuit filed by former inmate Deyonta Green, who alleged that jail staff denied him critical medical care during his incarceration in February 2022. Green, then 25, was booked into the Anoka County Jail while struggling with opioid addiction and had a prescription for Suboxone to manage withdrawal symptoms. Despite informing jail staff of his condition and prescription, Green was not provided the medication, leading to severe withdrawal symptoms.

Over the course of a week, Green's health deteriorated significantly. He experienced severe withdrawal symptoms, including an inability to eat or sleep, tremors, diarrhea, and vomiting. Despite apparent knowledge of Green's condition, as documented by jail staff, there was no medical intervention. After days without treatment, Green collapsed, fell from his bunk, and was found lying face down in his vomit-covered cell. Emergency responders eventually transported him to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with multiple brain bleeds, skull fractures, and acute kidney failure.

The lawsuit accused Anoka County and its contracted medical provider, MEnD Correctional Care, of deliberate indifference to Green's urgent medical needs. MEnD has faced multiple lawsuits alleging inadequate care in Minnesota jails and filed for bankruptcy amid these claims. Anoka County terminated its contract with MEnD later in 2022. The settlement includes nearly $2.6 million from Anoka County and the remainder from MEnD on behalf of a medical employee. Anoka County spokesman Erik Thorson stated that the county prioritizes inmate health and well-being and believes its employees provided appropriate emergency care to Green.

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SOURCE: abc KSTP.COM