Associated Press
SEATTLE — Four prison inmates have filed a class action lawsuit against the Washington State Department of Corrections claiming prisoners with medical conditions often do not receive adequate care.
The lawsuit filed by Columbia Legal Services on Tuesday says hundreds of incarcerated people are regularly denied needed medical care for illnesses such as diabetes or orthopedic issues that involve ongoing pain.
The plaintiffs’ attorney, Merf Ehman, says the agency’s care review committee denies more than 60 percent of requests for treatment and violates the constitutional right of inmates to get adequate medical treatment.
KUOW-FM reports the Department of Corrections says it is aware of the concerns and says it is committed to working collaboratively to explore further opportunities to provide quality health care.