The family of Daniel Foard, a 32-year-old man who died under distressing circumstances in La Plata County Jail, has filed a lawsuit against the county and the jail’s medical provider. The lawsuit, submitted in the U.S. District Court for Colorado, describes Foard’s 2023 death as “gruesome and entirely preventable.” According to the complaint, Foard spent his final hours in pain, voicing his fear and desperation for medical help while exhibiting concerning symptoms that went unaddressed by jail staff.
Foard was incarcerated for failure to appear and was undergoing detox after admitting to using fentanyl. Despite showing symptoms like vomiting and severe abdominal pain, the medical staff failed to take appropriate action. A body scan revealed alarming signs of a potential medical crisis, but he was still deemed stable for transfer to general population, where his condition only deteriorated. Video footage captured his pleas for assistance, including claims that he was “vomiting blood” and fears of dying, but staff largely ignored him.
The lawsuit implicates La Plata County, Sheriff Sean Smith, and Southern Health Partners, the jail’s medical provider, emphasizing a troubling pattern of negligence. Foard’s estate alleges that the systemic issues—understaffing, inadequate training, and a focus on cost-cutting—led to his death. Autopsy findings indicated a critical medical condition that required surgical intervention, which was never provided.
Foard’s parents are seeking not only accountability but also reforms in inmate medical treatment. They advocate for more compassionate care, greater medical staffing, and improved training for jail personnel, believing these measures could prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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