Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Atascosa County for Jail Death from Multiple Untreated Seizures

The family of Nancy Lopez, who died after suffering multiple seizures while in custody at the Atascosa County Jail, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the county. The lawsuit claims Lopez was visibly disoriented and shaking uncontrollably during intake on May 2, 2023, yet jail staff failed to call EMS even after she experienced repeated seizures. Emergency medical help was reportedly summoned only after a nurse arrived and found her unresponsive.

Attorney Dean Malone, who represents the Lopez family, said the case highlights a grave failure to provide medical care to detainees in crisis. “It is beyond me to understand why Nancy was allowed to suffer several seizures without anyone calling EMS,” Malone stated. “There is no excuse for not taking a person suffering a medical emergency to the nearest hospital.” The family is seeking justice and accountability for Lopez’s preventable death under federal law.

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