According to the Virginia-Pilot Online, the mother of a jail inmate is suing a health care company after her son died while incarcerated.
Marvette Norman believes that the death of her son would not have occurred if not for the negligent care of Correct Care Solutions – the health care company that looks after the medical needs of the inmates at Norfolk City Jail. She has filed a $5 million lawsuit concerning the death of her son.
Twenty-year-old Laquan Norman died a year ago – in March 2008. Norman had complained to prison officials of a number of medical problems for a week – including blood in his nose, mouth, and urine. Near the end of the week, the prisoner began to vomit blood.
A nurse with Correct Care Solutions detected blood in the prisoner’s urine and noted that the young man should see a doctor. However, no appointment was made. Norman lost consciousness while jailed and later died in the hospital. An autopsy revealed that he died of a cerebral hemorrhage stemming from a blood disorder.
Jail officials thought meningitis might have been a cause, though the medical exam ruled that cause out. It is not clear why the man would have been examined by the health care company but never referred to a doctor or hospital.
The medical examiner who conducted the autopsy stated that the death could have possibly been prevented had the patient sought medical care and was diagnosed with the blood platelet problem earlier. His mother has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
Laquan was in jail due to a drug possession charge and a trespassing charge. He had been incarcerated since June of 2007 and was set to be released in July of 2008.