(WKYT) – A healthcare provider for prisons across the Commonwealth settled a lawsuit brought against them by the sister of an inmate who died at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex.
Chad Lake Raymond died in 2021 of endocarditis, according to a now dismissed lawsuit filed by Raymond’s sister, Britney Jones.
Jones sued Wellpath, a company contracted with the Kentucky Department of Corrections to provide medical treatment to inmates at EKCC.
Wellpath was responsible for hiring and supervising medical providers, as well as enforcing policies and protocols for EKCC’s care of inmates.
Jones’ lawsuit claimed Raymond told medical staff he had severe chest and lung pain on March 30, 2021, telling them “he felt like he was dying.”
Raymond told staff the symptoms began after injecting Suboxone intravenously, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit claimed he showed “obvious signs” of endocarditis, an infection associated with intravenous drug use.
The lawsuit also alleged that staff let periods of up to 11 days pass without observing Raymond’s condition, and failed to review his test results in a timely manner.
“Raymond’s tragic death was entirely preventable had Defendants responded timely,” the lawsuit read.
Court records show a motion for dismissal was filed Thursday, June 4, that said the case was being settled. The motion did not disclose the details of the settlement.