The family of a man who died in El Dorado County Jail has filed a lawsuit against the prison healthcare provider, Wellpath, and El Dorado County. The suit alleges that the man's death was preventable and resulted from a viral infection after he was denied necessary HIV medication for two months.
El Dorado County is located in northeast California, surrounding the El Dorado National Forest and along South Lake Tahoe.
The deceased, Nicholas Overfield, allegedly informed arresting officers about his HIV status and his need for antiretroviral medication during his detention. Despite this, the complaint indicated medical records show that he was denied his prescribed HIV medication throughout his two-month detention period.
His health allegedly deteriorated rapidly during this time, with his HIV eventually progressing to AIDS, and his condition so weak he could not even speak with his mother, according to the complaint.
According to the complaint, Overfield did not receive any medical treatment until complaints from his mother finally compelled correctional officials to act. However, Overfield ultimately died in hospice in June 2022, two months after he was first incarcerated, according to the complaint.
Overfield's death certificate identified encephalitis varicella zoster virus as the immediate cause of death.
Overfield's family is seeking unspecified damages, including general damages, special damages, including past, present and future wage loss, income and support and medical expenses, among other potential special damages; and punitive damages, plus attorney fees.
The lawsuit was filed Jan. 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.
Overfield's family is represented in the action by attorneys Adante Pointer, Patrick Buelna and Ty Clarke, of the firm of Pointer & Buelna Lawyers for the People, of Oakland.