El Paso County Reaches $3M Settlement Over Inmate's Death

El Paso County Reaches $3M Settlement Over Inmate's Death

Introduction

Following a deal with the county, the estate of a man discovered dead at the El Paso County jail will earn several million dollars.

According to the investigation, the 36-year-old guy was discovered unconscious during a normal welfare check on September 27, 2021, approximately 8 o'clock.

According to officials, efforts to resuscitate the guy by deputies and the jail's medical personnel were futile. According to a statement from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, the guy died from a seizure problem linked to epilepsy, polypharmacy, or the concurrent use of numerous medicines to treat a condition, and COVID-19.

The man's estate is anticipated to receive a total of $3 million as part of the settlement with the county, $2.5 million of which will be paid by Gemini Insurance business, the county's excess insurance carrier, and Berkley Public Entity, a New Jersey-based insurance business. El Paso County will cover the remaining $500,000, according to the statement.

The settlement was approved by the county commissioners in a 3-0 vote, and there was no discussion. The county stated that it did not admit any involvement in the man's death and that it just agreed to the payment to minimize legal expenses, according to meeting papers.

A man who said he was assaulted by a schizophrenic cellmate after officers refused to transport him to another place when he was a county prison inmate last year filed a complaint against the county in June, among other cases the county has faced recently.

After a five-year court struggle, the county in April agreed to pay $25,000 in damages to a man who was imprisoned for four months after posting bond after being arrested by immigration officials.