Skip navigation
× You have 2 more free articles available this month. Subscribe today.

$51,000 Settlement in Seattle Jail Prisoner’s Death

Washington State’s King County Jail paid $51,470.37 to settle a lawsuit stemming from the April 6, 2004 death of prisoner Wade S. Brown, who advised jail officials upon booking that he had heart problems that required prescribed medications. Despite that information during his March 27 booking, Brown was not given medication or treated for his condition.

At 2:30 p.m. on April 6, Brown told a guard he was experiencing severe chest pain. He was told he must submit a “kite” and the guard would bring him one. He never did. Brown’s chest pain continued through the day and evening. Another prisoner pressed of the emergency button, but no-one responded. A guard refused to check on Brown when dinner was brought.

At 9:05, Brown was found non-responsive in his cell. EMTs pronounced him dead at 9:25. Represented by the Seattle attorney Lembhard G. Howell, the claim of Brown’s estate was settled on December 8, 2005 for $50,000 in damages and $1,470.37 in costs. The documents related to this claim are available on PLN’s website. See: Brown v. King County, USDC, W.D. Wash., No. C05-4987.

As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.

Subscribe today

Already a subscriber? Login

Related legal case

Brown v. King County

Please see the brief bank for documents related to this case.