On February 6th, 2025, Courthouse News Service reported that a wrongful death settlement has been reached on behalf of the family of a man who passed away in custody at the Sacramento County Jail. The estate of Bryan Debbs agreed to resolve the wrongful death claim for $600,000. Notably, the Sacramento County Jail settled the case even though it had contracted out certain prison-related duties to a third party. Here, our Stockton wrongful death attorneys provide an overview of the tragic case, the settlement, and relevant law for civil claims for prison deaths.
Man Passed Away While in Custody of the Sacramento County Jail
In July of 2019, Bryan Debbs, an inmate at the Sacramento County Main Jail, was assaulted by another man while in custody. He was transported to an emergency medical center due to the severity of his injuries. On August 3rd, 2019, Mr. Debbs unfortunately succumbed to his injuries at the Sutter General Hospital. Security footage at the facility revealed that the other inmate stabbed Mr. Debbs in the eye with a pencil several times. Following his death, the estate of Mr. Debs filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Sacramento Count. The estate alleged that negligence in his safety and negligence in his care contributed to the untimely death.
Wrongful Death Settlement Reached
The Sacramento County Jail had outsourced many services to third party vendors, including security companies and certain medical providers. However, the estate forcefully argued that Sacramento County was still liable for ensuring the reasonable protection of inmates. In 2021, the estate of Bryan Debbs initially reached a $600,000 settlement with two nurses contracted by Sacramento County. However, the case against the County itself moved forward. As confirmed by Courthouse News Service, Sacramento County has agreed to reach a $600,000 wrongful death settlement. As part of the settlement, the estate of the victim noted that he should have been better protected given that the victim and his attacker were both classified as “mentally ill” by a physiatrist.
What to Know About Suing a Correctional Institution for Wrongful Death in California
When a person is in custody, they are entitled to protection. Correctional facilities—whether federal, state, or local—must protect all inmates from unreasonable safety risks. If a person dies due to negligence, the surviving family may have a wrongful death claim. Here are some key things that families should know about wrongful death lawsuits against jails/prisons in California:
- Understanding Wrongful Death Laws in California: California has a civil wrongful death statute. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, certain surviving family members of a person killed due to negligence or other type of wrongdoing have the right to bring a legal claim against the responsible party. These are fault-based legal cases. A thorough investigation of a wrongful death by an experienced lawyer is a must.
- Wrongful Death Claims Against Jails and Prisons: A wrongful death claim can be brought when a person dies due to another party’s negligence or misconduct. In the context of a correctional facility, some of the reasons why a claim may be brought for wrongful death include: inadequate medical care, excessive use of force by officers, failure to prevent inmate-on-inmate violence, or poor jail conditions leading to preventable death.
- Section 1983 of Federal Law Protects the Civil Rights of Inmates: If the wrongful death was caused by a violation of constitutional rights, the deceased’s family may have grounds for a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim. Section 1983 allows individuals to sue state actors—such as prison officials, correctional officers, or medical staff—when they violate someone’s civil rights under the United States Constitution. A wrongful death caused by negligence in a jail or prison may constitute a civil rights violation.
- Multiple Defendants May Bear Liability for a Wrongful Death: A number of different parties may potentially be held liable in a wrongful death claim against a correctional institution in California, including: 1) The state, county, or municipality operating the jail or prison. 2) Any correctional officers who engaged in misconduct or excessive force, 3) Any medical providers who failed to provide necessary care, and 4) Any private contractors hired to manage healthcare or security within the facility.
- Compensation for Grieving Families: While no amount of compensation will ever be sufficient to make things right for a tragic death, surviving families need all available financial support. They also need the maximum settlement or verdict to impose justice and accountability on the at-fault defendants. When suing a correctional institution for wrongful death, the victim’s family may be entitled to compensatory damages to account for financial losses, emotional suffering, and, in some cases, punitive damages. Wrongful death compensation is primarily non-economic. Families may be able to recover for loss of love, loss of companionship, and loss of consortium.
Why Grieving Families in Stockton Rely On Redkey Gordon Law Corp
Wrongful death claims are complicated—especially so when a government entity such as a jail or a prison is being sued for a civil rights violation. Grieving families need strong, experienced legal guidance and support during difficult times. At Redkey Gordon Law Corp, we have a proven record of successful case results. Our firm has collected more than $25 million for clients. We are prepared to help you navigate every aspect of the wrongful death claims process. Our Stockton, CA wrongful death attorneys provide free, confidential, and no obligation initial consultations.
Speak to Our Stockton, CA Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
At Redkey Gordon Law Corp, our Stockton wrongful death attorneys provide compassionate, justice-driven advocates to grieving families. If you have any questions about wrongful death claims for prison abuse or prison neglect, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free and fully confidential case review. With an office in Stockton, we provide wrongful death representation throughout the region including in Sacramento, Sutter Creek, Lodi, Galt, and Manteca.