Ventura County Settles Jail Death Case for $900K
Table of Contents
Case Background
Cynthia Rizalla, a 35-year-old woman, died in custody at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on December 28, 2021. Following her death, her daughter, Kayden Orozco, and her mother, Michelle Rizalla, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the County of Ventura, several Sheriff’s deputies, and the contracted medical provider, Wellpath, LLC, along with one of its nurses. The Plaintiffs brought the case as individuals and as representatives of Cynthia Rizalla’s estate. The lawsuit alleged that the Defendants failed to provide adequate medical care to Ms. Rizalla during a severe opiate withdrawal, which ultimately led to her death.
Cause
The Plaintiffs alleged that the Defendants failed to provide Ms. Rizalla with necessary and immediate medical care during her incarceration. The complaint centered on the argument that the County and its medical staff knew of Ms. Rizalla's drug dependency and her need for care but displayed deliberate indifference to her serious medical needs. The Plaintiffs claimed that this failure violated Ms. Rizalla’s constitutional rights under the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees due process and protection from cruel and unusual punishment while in custody.
Injury
As a direct result of the alleged lack of timely and adequate medical intervention, Ms. Rizalla suffered deteriorating mental health, severe opiate withdrawal symptoms, cardiac arrest, and subsequently, her untimely death on December 28, 2021.
Damages Sought
The Plaintiffs sought judgment against all Defendants for compensatory damages, which covered the economic and non-economic losses resulting from Ms. Rizalla's death. They also sought punitive damages against the i
Continue Reading This Article
Subscribe to access this article and our entire library of legal content.