ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, March 31, 1997 TAG: 9703310077
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
David F. Jones was one of a group of inmates who complained about Greensville's quality of medical care.
The widow of a Greensville Correctional Center inmate who died of blood poisoning has filed a $3.35 million lawsuit against the state and the company that provided medical services for the prison.
David F. Jones, 42, died in March 1995 after a diabetic ulcer on his foot became infected.
Jones' widow, Myrtle C. Jones, alleges that officials and doctors who were responsible for Jones' care were aware that Jones was a diabetic and at substantial risk for developing blood poisoning.
Named as defendants are the state; ARA Health Services Inc., operating as Correctional Medical Services; Fred Schilling, director of health services for the Department of Corrections; and physicians employed by ARA who were responsible for the inmate's care.
Corrections spokesman David Botkins said Saturday that the state has yet to review the lawsuit, filed Friday in Richmond Circuit Court.
``The Attorney General's office will file an appropriate response on our behalf within 21 days and it would be inappropriate to speculate on the particulars of the case with litigation pending,'' he said.
Jones was among a group of inmates who complained about the quality of medical care available at Greensville for those suffering from diabetes or in need of dialysis treatment.
``He was neglected the whole time he was in there, with his medical care,'' Mrs. Jones said shortly after his death.
Experts said infections of diabetic ulcers usually can be treated with antibiotics, or by amputation in extreme cases. They said it takes time for an infection to reach a gangrenous or lethal stage.
An independent study conducted last spring recommended specialized training for a diabetic nurse, consideration of a new pill that might let some inmates avoid using insulin and stricter adherence to company protocols for diabetic care that already are in place.
Botkins said that since Jones' death, Schilling has worked closely with Correctional Medial Services to improve health care at the prison.
Under its state contract, CMS provides health care to the 2,900 inmates at Greensville, the state's largest prison and home to many of the most seriously ill inmates.
Jones was serving a 12-year sentence for kidnapping and aggravated sexual battery. He had suffered from diabetes since he was 18 years old.
LENGTH: Medium: 54 linesby CNB