The family of a man that died while in police custody, after having been put through an hours-long search of his home, has filed a $3 million lawsuit against the city of El Centro, as reported by the Imperial Valley Press.
According to a wrongful death lawsuit C.S., 57, was in the custody of the police when medical attention was denied to him and he suddenly died.
On December 3 C.S., on probation for a theft conviction, was pulled over in a traffic stop and officers stated they found both a shotgun and a methamphetamine pipe in his car. Officer J.T. and an officer with another agency then went to his home to search it.
While several family members looked on, the two officers conducted a search of C.S.'s home for many hours.
Family members present at the time state in the suit that during the search C.S. exhibited signs of distress: he shook, couldn't walk and his speech didn't make sense. They pleaded with officers to call for help but they were told that C.S. was only "faking it" and "putting on a show for his family because he does not want to go to jail."
One of the family members present, a registered nurse, called 911 herself. Another relative, who was previously employed as a dispatcher in the Imperial County Sheriff's office, also called for help. Both women claimed that none of their calls were answered and that Officer J.T. "or his assistants had notified dispatch to ignore the calls from the family."
The records of the phone calls are included in the lawsuit.
Nothing was found during the search. When it was concluded C.S. was taken to the police department to be booked and processed. It was while he was in the police station that officers noticed his difficulty walking. From there he was taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center. When he arrived he was unresponsive and shortly thereafter, he was declared dead.
According to the lawsuit, "The (S.) children are without a father, the grandchildren are without their grandfather, and (L.S.) is alone as her life-long companion is gone. An award of money provides little solace. That said, the (S.) family would be willing to fully release responsible parties in exchange for a one time lump sum payment of $3,000,000."
The figure of $3 million is to be divided between C.S.'s family as follows: $1 million to his wife and $1 million to each of his two children.
Attorney Chris Morris represents the family. Morris stated that the amount of damages sought "had a strong-enough message that this shouldn't happen to anybody" and "would provide enough incentive for this to not happen again."
The Imperial County Coroner's Office has not completed its autopsy report.
Loosing a loved one in police custody, in a hospital, or in a school, are all examples where a wrongful death can occur. Sue for your damages when you contact a personal injury lawyer today!