No one is ever truly prepared for death of a loved one. This is true regardless of how they die. When someone dies as a result of the negligent actions of another, it may be possible for certain individuals to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party or parties.

The loved ones of a woman who died almost two years ago while in a Lawrence County jail have filed one such lawsuit. The 31-year-old woman, who hanged herself with a sheet while in her cell, had been arrested for child endangerment.

Apparently because the woman was deemed to be emotionally unstable as well as under the influence of illegal substances, she was initially put on suicide watch. For some reason however, several days into her stay, the suicide watch was removed. She was then checked on twice an hour. It was apparently during one of those 30 minute periods in which she was not under observation that the woman died.

The lawsuit, which was filed by the woman's mother and boyfriend, alleged that the woman's due process rights were violated by the jail and healthcare provider's failure to provide better monitoring. It also claims that the wrongful death is due to medical malpractice.

While no two lawsuits or the situations prompting them are the same, there are several things that are commonly sought in this type of action. This lawsuit is not an exception to this. The woman's mother and boyfriend are seeking compensation for:

• Mental anguish
• Economic loss
• Punitive damages

How this case will ultimately turnout remains to be seen. We will provide updates on it as they become available.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Family sues Lawrence County Jail over inmate's death," Rich Lord, Sept. 24, 2012