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Woodford County Jail Death Lawsuit Settled for $490K

Woodford County, IL website

Woodford County settled a 2017 wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the county jail with the estate of David Brown for $490,000. 

Brown died at the Woodford County Jail on April 27, 2017. His son, David Brown II, said his father suffered from a medical condition which required him to self-catheterize. Brown said his father repeatedly complained of pain and asked to be taken to the hospital, but was instead moved to a holding cell in a wheelchair when he was no longer able to stand or walk. He later died of medical complications related to his condition. 

Advocate Eureka Hospital is across the street from the Woodford County Jail. Brown was being held on a charge of driving on a suspended license. 

Woodford County Sheriff Matt Smith, a number of Woodford County Sheriff's deputies, the for-profit Advanced Correctional Healthcare, and two ACH employees were also listed as plaintiffs. 

In June, Brown's estate reached the settlement with Woodford County. The payout was made by Woodford County's insurer. As part of the settlement, Woodford County made no admission of wrongdoing. The other plaintiffs were held harmless. 

The county board unanimously approved the settlement at its July meeting. On August 8, U.S. District Court Judge Joe Billy McDade certified the unopposed motion for a finding of a good faith settlement. 

Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.