Family of inmate who died in Summit County Jail last March files federal lawsuit
The family of a 62-year-old Akron man who died in Summit County Jail last March has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the county and medical and social workers involved in his care.
The complaint accuses the sheriff and jail staff of ignoring and failing to treat his medical and mental health conditions in the days leading up to his death.
Jeffrey Neal died of untreated pneumonia following a 13-day stay in jail after Akron police arrested him on March 4, 2023. He suffered from a mental health crisis during that time, according to the lawsuit.
Neal was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
The suit contends jail staff did not allow his family to bring him medication; without treatment, the complaint says, Neal could not articulate his symptoms.
Who is named in the lawsuit?
Marc Neal, the deceased inmate's brother, filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Northern Ohio in Akron. The case is assigned to Judge James Gwin.
Named as defendants in the lawsuit are Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree, Southern Health Partners, Summit Psychological Associates, University Hospitals Health System, University Hospitals Medical Group, a medical doctor and a social worker.
Why was Jeffrey Neal arrested in March 2023?
Akron police arrested Neal after an altercation with his neighbors.
He was charged with two counts of assault. The incident was likely brought on by his mental illness, according to court documents.
Family accuses jail staff, sheriff of negligence
The lawsuit says the jail was notified of Neal's medical and mental health history, which also included a seizure disorder, upon his incarceration. That same day, his family members said they told Fatheree and jail staff about his mental health and his need for prescription medications.
Those same family members said they offered and attempted to deliver Neal his prescribed medications but jail staff refused them — and they were not allowed to visit him during those 13 days.
During that time, Neal showed signs of deteriorating mental health, according to the suit. Jail officials observed him acting confused or erratically on March 5 but were unclear if his behaviors stemmed from "psychosis, detoxing, withdrawal, intoxication, malingering, or other mental health issues."
Between March 12 and March 16, staff noted his "unpredictable behavior," described him as being "unkempt" and said he was "hearing voices," according to the suit.
During that time, Neal told the staff that he takes medication for his mental health but did not know the names.
More than one week after his arrest on March 13, jail staff obtained his medical records. On March 16, he saw a doctor. The lawsuit accused the doctor of not performing a sufficient assessment or follow up to treat Neal's mental health or pneumonia.
The next day on March 17, jail staff removed Neal from his cell for cleaning. Soon after, he lost consciousness and was taken to Summa Akron City Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The Summit County Medical Examiner said his underlying mental health issues "impaired perception of his medical illness," according to the suit.
Requested damages
Neal's family is asking the defendants for a punitive payment, to pay off court and attorney fees and to compensate for Neal's injuries, damages and losses.
They also hope for damages to compensate Neal's next of kin and to pay for funeral and burial expenses.
Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Family of Akron man who died in Summit County Jail files federal suit
