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Hancock County Jail Death, Employee Fired

Posted by: Steve Wagner
February 27, 2009
Topic: Personal Injury

At least one employee of Hancock County Jail has been fired as a result of a death of an inmate. An autopsy confirms that Brian Bales, 36, died of gastrointestinal bleeding on February 18, 2009. Bales was arrested on February 16, 2009 after an anonymous call from a motorist reporting erratic driving. While he passed the breathalyzer, he was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. Once in custody, Bales was seen by Hancock County Jail nurse, Matt Landis. Based on Bales' vital signs, Landis should have contacted the on call doctor to examine Bales. Because the proper policies and procedures were not followed, Landis has been fired from Hancock County Jail. Sheriff Bud Gray, who fired Landis, also put Sgt. Bridget Foy on paid administrative leave. Foy was the shift supervisor who worked the night of Bales' death. Craig Burks, a jail shift commander, has since resigned. The department is conducting an internal investigation.

Too often detainees in county jails die from the negligence, and sometimes even callousness, of correctional officers. The family of the victims will often have the option of bringing both state and federal claims. Under Indiana state law, claims for medical malpractice and possibly negligent hiring could apply. If the jail officers were "deliberately indifferent" to the serious medical need of a detainee or inmate, a federal civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 can be brought. In addition to compensatory and possibly punitive damages, a 1983 action allows for the recovery of attorney fees as well. For more information on malpractice and civil rights claims, visit www.injuryattorneys.com.  


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