SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE APPROVES SETTLEMENT IN JAIL SUICIDE CASE

A Superior Court judge approved a settlement that will pay an amount in excess of $600,000 to the minor child of a man who committed suicide while he was confined in the Columbus County Jail in Whiteville, North Carolina. Shortly before the detainee’s death, he had been transferred from the Robeson County jail in which he was housed because of overcrowding in the Columbus County jail.

The complaint, filed on behalf of the Estate of Dwayne Frink, alleged that both counties’ sheriffs, jailers, and governments were negligent and violated Mr. Frink's constitutional rights when they did not sufficiently monitor him or provide access to medical care despite multiple suicide attempts while in custody. The complaint also alleged that the sheriff and county failed to adopt policies and procedures for the provision of medical care that were sufficient to prevent inmates who posed a substantial risk of committing suicide from doing so.

For more information about this case or to speak with a wrongful death lawyer, contact info@tbsf-law.com.