Shawnee County commissioners plan Oct. 13 to consider approving paying $500,000 to settle a lawsuit filed against them.
The litigation stems from the death of Matthew Oliva, who was incarcerated at the Shawnee County Jail.
Relatives of Matthew Oliva filed the suit against various defendants, primarily Shawnee County and Armor Health, the county’s contracted health provider. The plaintiffs allege inadequate medical care at the county corrections department resulted in Oliva’s death on Nov. 17, 2023, said a Shawnee County Counselor’s office memorandum document.
Oliva’s relatives allege he received ineffective medical and mental health care at the jail, which helped bring about his death from complications of a left lower leg infection, The Capital-Journal previously reported.
Shawnee County commissioners plan Oct. 13 to consider approving paying $500,000 to settle a lawsuit filed against them, regarding the death of Matthew Oliva, who was incarcerated at the Shawnee County Jail.
What did the suit allege?
The lawsuit alleges negligence and the violation of Oliva’s constitutional rights.
It was filed by Jan Branson, his mother, surviving heir-at-law and special administrator of his estate, on behalf of herself; Oliva’s father, James Oliva; and Oliva’s brother, Bradford Oliva.
Oliva, 35, died Nov. 17, 2023, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, after being held in the Shawnee County Jail from Oct. 22 to Nov. 5, 2023, according to the lawsuit complaint.
When will Shawnee County commissioners vote?
Shawnee County Commissioners Aaron Mays, Bill Riphahn and Kevin Cook will decide whether to approve or deny the prospoed $500,000 settlement during their 9 a.m. Shawnee County Commissioners meeting Oct. 13.
The settlement is listed as a consent agenda item on the commission agenda. Consent agenda items are generally approved without debate.
The agreement won’t take effect until approvals have been obtained, said the county counselor’s document.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Shawnee County Jail death may result in $500K lawsuit settlement