LaSalle Corrections Hit with Record $42.75M Verdict

Case Background

The case arose from the events of May 17, 2015. Erie Moore Sr., a detainee at Richwood Correctional Center, a facility managed by LaSalle Corrections under a contract with the City of Monroe, died after an alleged altercation and subsequent failure of medical care by jail staff. Moore's children Erie Moore Jr., Tiffany Robinson, and Tamara Robinson filed the federal civil rights lawsuit, claiming that the company and its personnel had deprived their father of his constitutional rights, leading directly to his untimely death. The lawsuit sought to recover monetary damages for the pain and suffering Moore endured before his death (a survival claim) and for the profound loss suffered by his children (a wrongful death claim).

Cause

The Plaintiffs asserted that Erie Moore Sr.’s death resulted directly from the Defendants’ actions and deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. The core of the complaint alleged that the jail staff, including various guards and command officers, used excessive force against Moore during his detention. More critically, the complaint contended that the officers subsequently failed to intervene to protect him and, crucially, failed to provide Moore with the necessary medical monitoring and care after the encounter, which was a violation of his rights under the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit also detailed failures in training, supervision, and policy implementation by the facility’s leadership and its corporate owner, LaSalle Corrections, Inc.

Injury

Erie Moore Sr. suffered severe physical injuries and emotional distress as a result of the alleged excessive force and the subsequent lack of medical attention. These injuries, according to the complaint, directly caused or significantly contributed to his death while he remained in the custody of the jail. For the family, the injury was the wrongful death of their father, resulting in the loss of his love, guidance, and support.

Damages Sought

The Moore family pursued significant financial compensation, including survival damages for the pain and suffering Erie Moore Sr. endured from the moment his rights were violated until his death, and wrongful death damages to compensate his children for their profound loss. They sought to ensure that the verdict was high enough to not only compensate the family but also to serve as a punishment and deterrent against the corporate Defendant for future negligence and constitutional rights violations.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

The trial unfolded in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Monroe Division. The Moore family’s legal team painted a picture of systemic failures, where a profit-driven mentality had overshadowed the fundamental duty to protect and care for those in custody.

Legal Representation

Plaintiff(s): Erie Moore, Jr | Tiffany Robinson | Tamara Robinson, individually and on behalf of Erie Moore, Sr.

· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Omar Qureshi | Max Schoening | Nelson W. Cameron | James Anglin Flynn | Patrick R Jackson

Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel

Claims

The Plaintiffs’ counsel presented compelling evidence that the corrections officers used excessive and unreasonable physical force against Erie Moore Sr. They argued this use of force started a fatal sequence of events. Furthermore, they vigorously maintained that the officers and command staff failed to properly supervise the situation, failed to step in when the force became excessive, and, most critically, exhibited a shocking disregard for Moore's deteriorating medical condition after the incident. Their arguments detailed how the lack of appropriate, timely medical attention violated Moore’s federally protected rights as a detainee. The family’s attorneys emphasized that LaSalle Corrections had established institutional practices that encouraged or permitted this dangerous indifference to inmate safety.

Defense

The defense team consistently refuted the allegations of excessive force and institutional misconduct. The officers’ counsel asserted that staff only used force necessary to manage a difficult detainee and maintain order, and that their actions aligned with standard operating procedures. LaSalle Corrections and the supervisory staff argued they had provided necessary training to their employees and that the facility's policies met legal requirements. The City of Monroe, a separate Defendant, generally denied liability, maintaining that their involvement was limited to booking detainees under a contract, and they had not been notified of similar complaints about the Richwood facility previously.

Jury Verdict

The jury on 20th October 2025, in the U.S. District Court had heard all the evidence and arguments, ultimately siding overwhelmingly with the Moore family. They returned a staggering verdict of $42.75 million against LaSalle Corrections, Inc, which included the punitive damage of $ 23,250,000. The verdict confirmed that the private jail company and its staff had violated Erie Moore Sr.’s civil rights, holding them fully accountable for the loss and suffering they inflicted. This record-setting judgment sends a clear and powerful message to the private prison industry that juries will hold them responsible for the lives placed in their care. The massive financial penalty reflects the jury's belief that the institutional failures at Richwood Correctional Center were egregious and directly caused the wrongful death of Erie Moore Sr.

Court documents are available upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com