Paul Sarabia Dies on Day 5 at Bexar County Jail
About two weeks after his 50th birthday, Paul Anthony Sarabia was booked into Bexar County Jail in San Antonio, Texas, on September 1, 2024. Tragically, he had a medical emergency four days later and then died the next day, having been moved to University Hospital. The custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Sarabia was filed by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office on September 17, 2024.
The CDR doesn’t shed much light on what Mr. Sarabia’s medical condition may have been. We do know that he was on a dialysis machine along with other medical devices that were removed minutes before his death due to a do not resuscitate (DNR) signed by a family member. Dr. Grayson Hobart-Means, MD, pronounced Mr. Sarabia deceased at 10:46 AM on September 6.
Can Jails be Held Accountable for Medical Neglect?
When jail medical neglect results in custodial death, jails can be held accountable. If families suspect that the denial of necessary medical care has resulted in the death of a loved one, it is important to act immediately. Garnering evidence of potential jail neglect and abuse takes time.
The cause of an inmate’s death sometimes brings possible jail neglect to light. Sepsis is a condition that occurs due to the absence of appropriate treatment for infection. In Webb County Jail, for example, a 34-year-old detainee passed away because of sepsis resulting from an infection caused by needle sites. A federal lawsuit was filed against the Laredo, Texas, jail by attorney Dean Malone, who is representing a family member. Mr. Malone has asserted the constitutional rights of inmates for years.
Medical Care for Serious Medical Needs is Required in Jails
In a constitutional rights case for medical neglect, it is important to establish that a detainee was denied care for a serious medical need. This could include:
- Extreme pain, deterioration of an inmate’s condition, a threat of death, etc.;
- Several mental health problems are defined as serious medical needs, including issues that involve tendencies toward suicide; and
- Symptoms of withdrawal
Statistics show that the jails that rely on privately contracted healthcare services have higher death rates than jails that find other solutions to providing medical care for inmates. The three leading causes of death in county and municipal jails are all preventable if promptly treated, those being suicide, illness, and effects from alcohol and drugs.
Reach Out to the Law Offices of Dean Malone for Jail Neglect Assistance
If you or a loved one has suffered due to jail neglect, it’s important to get expert legal support. The Law Offices of Dean Malone has a dedicated team that focuses on helping families who have lost loved ones in Texas jails potentially because of neglect. We also encourage former inmates facing serious challenges resulting from neglect or abuse while incarcerated to contact us.
Get in touch with us today to schedule a free case evaluation. We are available 24/7 by phone, text, or through our online form.
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