By Amy Yurkanin
al.com
ANDALUSIA, Ala. — The family of a man who died in 2013 in the Covington County Jail reached a settlement over allegations staff members failed to treat critical injuries he sustained in a car crash.
Almus Taylor, a Florida resident, crashed his car while driving in south Alabama and suffered a lacerated liver, punctured lung and broken ribs. He was arrested for DUI and placed in a cell at the Covington County Jail.
According to court documents, EMS responded to the scene of the accident, but Taylor refused to board the ambulance. He was intoxicated and denied being the driver of the truck involved in the wreck.
According to a statement from law firm Beasley Allen announcing the settlement, other inmates reported hearing Taylor moaning and crying in pain. After nine hours, he was transported to the hospital after a nurse found him coughing up blood. He died from internal bleeding on the way to the hospital.
“It is overwhelming to think of your loved one suffering excruciating pain for hours and learning that those cries were intentionally ignored,” said Mike Crow, the attorney for Taylor’s family. “To Mr. Taylor’s family, this case was about getting justice for his needless death and sending a message to the jail and its employees that they will be held accountable for their complete disregard for Mr. Taylor’s life.”
A Mississippi judge initially dismissed the lawsuit filed by Taylor’s family on the grounds that guards at the jail had qualified immunity, which prevents public employees from being sued for performing their jobs.
But an appeals court overruled that decision and allowed the suit to proceed on the grounds that staff had been deliberately indifferent to Taylor’s pain and suffering.
Crow said current Covington County Sheriff Blake Turman has changed jail polices to prevent similar conduct by staff. The Beasley Allen statement did not disclose the amount of the settlement.
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