Inmate Required Leg Amputation Due To Malpractice: Javier Tapia, 40, who was released from prison earlier this year after drug and stolen vehicle convictions, filed a lawsuit against Pierce County and Alabama-based medical provider NaphCare. Tapia, who had no previous history of mental health issues, was booked into the Pierce County Jail in June 2018, and the jail staff began documenting the deterioration of his health in September when Tapia began having difficulty following orders such as curfew rules.
The prison malpractice lawsuit reportedly alleges that on September 17, 2018, a jail officer watched Tapia get off his bunk, throw his hands in the air, and then flail around while rolling on the floor. When an officer went to help him up, Tapia started crying and mumbling unintelligibly after which he was placed a “timeout cell.” Tapia was cooperative on September 18 but was confused and unable to verbally respond to questions. Tapia began refusing meals. Tapia had a blood clot in his groin that caused bleeding blisters on his foot and leg that had a foul-smelling discharge.
On September 18, 2018, a mental health provider referred Tapia for a physical exam to determine if he had an unknown medical condition. A doctor at the jail asked for staff to take Tapia’s vital signs for three days. Tapia remained nonverbal and confused for several days.
Over the next few weeks, Tapia alleges he was seen by multiple medical and mental health providers who failed to notice the deteriorating condition of his leg or properly investigate the cause of his new-onset mental health issues despite Tapia becoming nonverbal and confused.
On October 1, 2018, a nurse documented that Tapia would not allow her to check his vital signs. Later that day, a jail officer reported that Tapia’s toes were turning black and that his left foot was swollen and severely discolored. It was documented that Tapia had lost about 20 pounds in two weeks.
Tapia was transported to Tacoma General Hospital with a swollen, black foot. He was trembling and appeared sickly upon arrival. He allegedly told a doctor that he had not been able to walk for weeks. It was quickly determined that Tapia was suffering from a severe blood clot and that his leg had to be amputated below the knee.
NaphCare’s medical director subsequently wrote an email to the jail’s medical staff in which he praised the care they provided to Tapia: “he may have died. So thanks to you, he’s alive. He’s mad about his below the knee amputation, but in my opinion you did everything right and he’s lucky.”
If you or a loved one were injured due to the lack of appropriate medical care in jail in the United States, you should promptly seek the legal advice of a local medical malpractice lawyer in your state who handles jail medical malpractice claims and may investigate your claim and represent you or your loved one, if appropriate.
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