Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed by Widow of ICE Detainee

A wrongful death lawsuit worth one million dollars has been filed against the government by the widow of a Mexican native who reportedly died while in the custody of federal immigration authorities. The lawsuit was filed in federal court on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 by S. Hernandez-Gonzalez on behalf of her late husband, R. Medina-Martinez. The focus of the lawsuit centers around the fact that the detainee died from an inflammation of the heart muscle, known as myocarditis, due to negligent actions of the federal government.

Myocarditis if often a treatable illness when it is addressed promptly by a medical professional. Unfortunately, Medina-Martinez was not given this option. The physical exam required by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was not reviewed upon admittance of the detainee, an oversight which arguably led to his death. One ICE record reports that Medina-Martinez's x-ray results came out abnormal, but were assessed as normal and hence never reviewed by a physician as the requirement deemed they should be.

If you have lost a loved one due the negligent or reckless behaviors of another then you can take legal action. The type of personal injury lawsuit that would typically be filed in an accident cannot be done when the victim has lost their life. However, that does not mean that nothing can be done. Family members that have lost a loved one can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the loved one that innocently lost their life. At Whitley Law Firm, a Raleigh personal injury attorney can help you in this kind of legal endeavor. We are a personal injury law firm that is proud to serve residents in the state of North Carolina and we are prepared to work on your case next. To take advantage of the services our firm has to offer, contact a Raleigh wrongful death lawyer at our firm today.