A wrongful death lawsuit filed on February 4 in federal court claims that a Texas sheriff and the Nueces County jail’s medical staff ignored a healthcare professional’s recommendation that an inmate be transferred to a mental health facility prior to his death in February 2010. Sheriff Jim Kaelin, Dr. Gilberto Maldonado, Dr. Daniela Badea-Mic, healthcare provider NaphCare and physicians assistant Suzan Salter are all named as defendants in the wrongful death suit, which was filed by Gregory Cheek’s parents, Catherine and Gilmer. If you believe the death of a loved one was caused by the negligence of another person or party in Texas, contact our reputable wrongful death attorneys at Bandas Law Firm today. Our law firm is located in Corpus Christi, and our lawyers have extensive experience protecting the legal rights of individuals throughout the state of Texas.
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE MAY HAVE CAUSED INMATE’S DEATH
According to court documents, 29-year-old Gregory Cheek died in February 2010, hours after jail guards discovered him unresponsive in his cell. Cheek reportedly suffered from numerous mental disorders prior to his death, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic episodes, hallucinations and delusions, and the wrongful death lawsuit claims the named defendants “…knew Gregory suffered from a serious mental illness…” and “…negligently and intentionally failed to transfer Gregory to a [mental health facility]…” despite Dr. Maldonado’s recommendation to do so. Hours after jail employees found him unconscious in his cell, Gregory Cheek died of cardiac and respiratory arrest. In their complaint, Cheek’s parents claim that the jail’s “…medical staff delayed and moved Gregory to the jail’s infirmary for further evaluation,” before eventually transporting him to the hospital where he later died.
OUR EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS CAN HELP YOU FILE A CLAIM
The sudden loss of a loved one to a medical condition is difficult enough, but when there is a possibility that the death could have been prevented had it not been for the alleged negligence of the very people charged with that person’s care, the loss is even more devastating. If you have lost a family member in Texas, and you believe his or her death was the result of medical negligence, consult our experienced lawyers at Bandas Law Firm as soon as possible. You may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the doctor, hospital, medical staff or any other person or party you believe to be at fault, in order to pursue financial compensation for the resulting medical bills, funeral and burial costs and other expenses related to the victim’s death. With our attorneys on your side, you can hold the allegedly negligent person or party liable for the wrongful death of your loved one, and protect yourself and your family from further harm.
