After an inmate’s death, the Minnesota Department of Corrections agreed to pay the family $400,000 in their wrongful death suit against the state.
In the case, St. Paul native, Xaviu Scullark-Johnson, 27, died alone in his cell while suffering a bout of seizures all night long. Xavius was also schizophrenic.
Prison medical records showed that he was left overnight on his cell’s floor in clothes that were soaked with urine. When an ambulance crew arrived at the state prison in Rush City, a nurse turned them away. They were called back early the next morning.
The family is still pursuing a neglect lawsuit against the for-profit medical company that has a contract with the Department of Corrections, Corizon, Inc. The company is contracted to provide basic care for the 9,400 inmates housed throughout the state.
This is not the only lawsuit that has occurred within the state because of an inmate’s death. A previous lawsuit, once considered a record settlement, was settled for $275,000. The inmate had suffered severe burns because of errors made in medication.
Nonetheless, this is a court settlement that allows both parties to find the closure they need in a very complex case that could have been unresolved for a long period of time.
Johnson is one of nearly 10 Minnesota prisoners who died within a 12 year period after they were denied medical care or their care was delayed by the facility staff. It has also been found that 21 other prisoners suffered severe injuries due to neglect in the same 12 year period with the department paying almost $2 million in negligence and wrongful death settlements.
Johnson was serving a five-month sentence for violating his probation following a second-degree assault conviction. It was June 2010 when he started having the seizures in his cell. A senior nurse examined him before her shift ended around 11 p.m. She then ordered the corrections officers on duty to keep an eye on him, according to prison records. The prison nurse would be the only medical employee disciplined after an internal investigation was conducted. She received a five day suspension without pay for violating the protocol for seizures.
Johnson would continue to suffer seizures throughout the night and into the early morning. The doctor on-call finally told the officers to call an ambulance. This is when a nurse who had just come on duty turned them a way, citing protocols that dealt with Johnson’s medications, according to a report by the crew. Not long after, Johnson had another seizure and the ambulance crew returned. By the time they arrived, Johnson had no pulse and irreversible brain damage would cause his death.
Cases involving wrongful death in state custody often highlight broader issues related to workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for both inmates and corrections staff. In Minnesota, workers’ compensation benefits cover employees who sustain injuries or illnesses related to their job duties, including corrections officers who face unique risks in their daily work environment. If a corrections officer is injured while attempting to provide medical assistance or during an incident involving an inmate, they may be eligible for benefits such as medical treatment coverage and wage replacement.
On the other hand, inmates who suffer from disabilities or chronic medical conditions may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if they meet the Social Security Administration’s strict criteria. While incarcerated individuals are generally not eligible to receive SSDI benefits during incarceration, they may begin or resume their claims upon release if their medical condition significantly limits their ability to work. Understanding the nuances of SSDI and workers’ compensation in the corrections context can be complex, especially when medical neglect or delayed care contributes to worsening health conditions.
For family members pursuing wrongful death claims, it is important to consider how these cases intersect with other legal protections and benefits. For example, survivors may be entitled to certain benefits if the deceased was a state employee or if the death resulted from workplace negligence. Additionally, documenting medical neglect thoroughly and seeking legal guidance early can strengthen claims related to both wrongful death and workers’ compensation.
If you or a loved one have experienced harm due to medical neglect or unsafe conditions in a correctional facility, consulting with an experienced attorney can help protect your rights. The team at Harvey & Carpenter in Mankato has extensive knowledge of Minnesota’s workers’ compensation and SSDI laws and is committed to helping families seek justice and fair compensation.
