The family of a New York prison inmate named Andy Henriquez has filed a New York wrongful death lawsuit over his death while in solitary confinement at Rikers Island. Henriquez had been imprisoned in 2011 on a murder charge. In the days leading up to his death in April, 2013, he complained constantly of chest pains and shortness of breath. Despite the fact that his family and friends begged prison officials to provide Henriquez proper medical care, a prison doctor visited him in his cell and prescribed hand cream. He was found dead in the cell floor later, having died to a torn aorta.
The law suit names Corizon Health, an Alabama company that provides health care to prison inmates around the country. New York City has contracted with the company for this service for over a decade.
The Henriquez case is not the only legal matter that is facing Corizon. OSHA has cited the company for failing to provide adequate safeguards against workplace violence at Rikers and has slapped it with a $71,000 fine. Corizon was also named in a wrongful death suit involving the death of a Minnesota prison inmate named Jerrell Hammond who died in his cell of pulmonary blood clots.
Corizon is also involved in a civil rights lawsuit that was brought against the Alabama prison system by the Southern Poverty Law Center that alleges violations of prisoners’ constitutional rights based on the ban against cruel or unusual punishment. The suit also alleges violations of federal law protecting people with disabilities.
If you have been the victim of a wrongful death because of the negligence of another person or healthcare provider in New York contact Pulvers, Pulvers, Thompson & Friedman today for your free 60 minute wrongful death consultation.
