Case: Lewis v. Parish of Terrebonne

2:86-02315 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

Filed Date: June 3, 1986

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Case Summary

The wife and children of David Lewis, an incarcerated individual who committed suicide while in solitary confinement at the Terrebonne Parish Jail, filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the parish in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The plaintiffs allege that Lewis's constitutional rights were violated by the jail's deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. Following a jury trial, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana …

The wife and children of David Lewis, an incarcerated individual who committed suicide while in solitary confinement at the Terrebonne Parish Jail, filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the parish in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The plaintiffs allege that Lewis's constitutional rights were violated by the jail's deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs.

Following a jury trial, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (Judge Peter Beer) entered judgment in favor of the plaintiffs, but awarded only punitive damages of $6,279 (funeral costs). Both parties appealed this decision.

On February 12, 1990, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (Judge F.A. Little) held that the jury verdict was unsupported by the evidence and remanded the case to the district court for determination as to damages suffered by the inmate immediately prior to death. Lewis v. Parish of Terrebonne, 894 F.2d 142 (5th Cir. 1990). We have no further information on the proceedings of this case.

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (3/14/2006)

People


Judge(s)

Little, F. A. Jr. (Louisiana)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Ethridge, Samuel W. (Louisiana)

Vallot, Stephen V. (Louisiana)

Attorney for Defendant

Hermann, Jerry L. (Louisiana)

Rausch, Joseph W. (Louisiana)

Judge(s)

Little, F. A. Jr. (Louisiana)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

88-03500

Reported Opinion

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Feb. 12, 1990

Feb. 12, 1990

Order/Opinion

894 F.2d 894

Docket

Last updated March 24, 2024, 3:05 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Louisiana

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 3, 1986

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Widow and children of inmate who committed suicide while placed in solitary confinement

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Terrebonne Parish (Terrebonne), County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Due Process: Substantive Due Process

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Damages

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Order Duration: 1990 - None

Issues

General:

Personal injury

Suicide prevention

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Administrative segregation

Disciplinary segregation

Medical/Mental Health:

Suicide prevention

Type of Facility:

Government-run