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Macomb County Sued Again Over Death Of A Jail Inmate

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A suburban Detroit county is facing another lawsuit over the death of a jail inmate.

Lawyers for Jennifer Meyers' estate say she died in the Macomb County jail in July 2013, less than two weeks into a 30-day sentence. The cause was sepsis — an infection that destroys organs.

A lawsuit filed last week in federal court accuses the jail and a private medical company of violating Meyers' constitutional rights. Attorney Harold Perakis says some evidence for the lawsuit comes from information collected by the county during its review of the death.

Perakis says the 37-year-old Meyers was never taken to a hospital, despite her poor condition.

"These deaths, we believe, consistently demonstrate a custom and practice of the Macomb County Jail failing to provide necessary medical care for serious medical conditions," Perakis told WWJ Newsradio 950 in an interview Monday.

"These are terrible cases; there isn't any other way around it," he said. "They're tragic for the family, and I think they're tragic for our society."

There was no immediate comment from the county on the lawsuit. Macomb County is also being sued over the 2014 death of another inmate.

WWJ is awaiting a call back from the county for comment.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

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