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Hamilton County Indiana Jail Death

Posted by: Steve Wagner
May 07, 2010
Topic: Civil Rights Violations

Curtis Christopher Tschohl, 39, was found dead in his cell in the Hamilton County jail on Sunday, May 2nd, 2010. He had been arrested 12 days prior to his death on a drunk-driving charge. While deputies at the jail tried to resuscitate Tschohl, he was unresponsive and transferred to Riverview Hospital where he was pronounced dead. It was reported that Mr. Tschohl was going through alcohol withdrawal in the days before his death.

This unfortunate in-custody death raises questions regarding whether the Mr. Tschohl was suffering from the most serious form of alcohol withdrawal, delirium tremens or "DT's." Although only a small percentage of individuals suffer from DT's, it is a potentially deadly condition which requires immediate medical assistance. Hallucinations, tremors, excessive sweating, and seizures are some of the more obvious symptoms. Because the risk of DT's is well known to jailors who frequently take into custody alcoholics who are forced to go "cold turkey," proper medical screening and monitoring is needed to prevent such deaths. If jail policy is not followed, or even worse if correctional officers ignore the warning signs because they don't care, detainees will needlessly die.

Attorney Stephen M. Wagner handles civil rights claims against jails if there is deliberate indifference to a serious medical condition such as DT's. Mr. Wagner has handled these difficult cases throughout the state of Indiana, often on referral from other attorneys. In the last five years, Mr. Wagner has personally handled civil rights death cases resulting in the largest voluntary settlement payments ever in four Indiana counties. Call today for a free evaluation of your case. (800) 792-0332.


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