Large Jury Award to Family of Veteran Represented by Parker Waichman

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., April 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of victims injured by medical abuse and neglect, comments on a nearly $8 million verdict in the suicide of Marine Sergeant Bartholomew Ryan, a decorated military combat veteran. Sergeant Ryan's family is represented by Nick Warywoda of Parker Waichman. According to an April 12, 2017 Newsday report, after one day of deliberations, the jury found the Nassau jail's medical provider and the county negligent in the Marine's 2012 death. (http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/federal-jury-finds-armor-nassau-county-negligent-in-death-of-veteran-1.13448250?pts=486135)

The jury ordered Armor Correctional Health Services to pay $7 million in punitive damages and awarded $890,000 in compensatory damages against Armor and Nassau County in the civil lawsuit, according to Newsday. "Thankfully, the jury made a point to tell Armor and the county that's not how you treat our veterans and people," said Nicholas Warywoda. "Justice is done," said Ryan's brother, Thomas.

The family alleged that Sergeant Ryan's death followed struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and drug addiction over his Iraq War service, including a groin injury during boot camp, eight months of combat, and four years of military service. The family alleged the death was wrongful as Nassau County and Armor were negligent during the former Marine's incarceration for driving while under the influence of drugs. Sergeant Ryan did not receive appropriate care, despite a screening revealing he was a suicide risk, according to the lawsuit.

An Armor attorney disagreed with the jury saying they did not understand an instruction, unfairly awarding compensatory damages two times for pain and suffering. Mr. Warywoda noted that the jury may have considered pain and suffering from drug withdrawal and from the suicide. U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert ordered both attorneys to submit papers on the issue, according to Newsday.

Sergeant Ryan's family alleged Armor subjected the former Marine to cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment and negligence for how Armor medical personnel treated him. An oversight agency found an Armor psychiatrist inadequately assessed Sergeant Ryan's mental health hours before he died. It took 18 hours after his admission for a psychiatrist to see him, according to Mr. Warywoda who said the doctor did not diagnose or prescribe medication for Sergeant Ryan's mental disorders. He died six hours later.

"Although the firm is saddened by the unnecessary death of Sergeant Ryan, Parker Waichman is pleased that justice was served," said Keith Gitman, Managing Attorney at Parker Waichman. "To be treated in this manner is unacceptable, but that Sergeant Ryan fought for our country and was treated this way is appalling."

Parker Waichman offers free legal consultations to victims of medical abuse and negligence.  Please contact the firm by visiting its website at yourlawyer.com or calling 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636). (http://www.yourlawyer.com/)

SOURCE Parker Waichman LLP