Two men claim in lawsuit that lack of care at St. Lucie County jail led to blind

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Two men claim in lawsuit that lack of care at St. Lucie County jail led to

blindness

By Tyler Treadway (Contact)

Friday, July 31, 2009

Fort Pierce Tribune - Fort Pierce,FL,USA

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jul/31/two-men-claim-lawsuit-lack-care-st-lucie-\

county-ja/

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ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Two former St. Lucie County Jail inmates have filed

separate lawsuits claiming they each were blinded in one eye because of

negligent medical care at the jail.

Victor of West Palm Beach and Stanley Beale of Fort Pierce are suing

Prison Health Services Inc., a company contracted to provide medical care to

inmates at the jail; Dr. Zambrono, a physician with the company; and St.

Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara.

also is suing Prendergast, a nurse with Prison Health Services.

In his lawsuit, claims that in July 2007, Prendergast gave him inadequate

medication and care for an allergic reaction to dust and mold in his cell that

was causing " sinus pain and a swollen left eye and face. "

After his release spent more than a month at St. 's Medical Center in

West Palm Beach " to undergo extensive treatment " for an infection in his eye

" which nearly took (his) life. " According to the suit, " remains

completely blind in his left eye and is not expected to recover his vision. "

Beale's lawsuit claims he went to Zambrano several times in November 2006

complaining of blurred vision in his left eye.

" Plaintiff was not taken to an opthalmologist until 20 days following his

initial (visit), " the suit states.

Despite surgery in December 2006, Beale's condition worsened, and in November

2007 his left eye was removed.

" For all the pain they cause, criminals without question owe a debt to society, "

said ce Huttman, an attorney with the Stuart-based law firm Rubin & Rubin

who filed the lawsuits. " But when they're in the process of repaying that debt,

society expects, and the Constitution requires, that they're treated humanely.

County Sheriff's Office officials referred comment to Prison Health

Services.

Martha Harbin, spokesperson for Prison Health Services said she could not give

specifics because of privacy laws and pending litigation.

" However, there is information that is relevant that we are unable to disclose,

but feel confidant that in the course of the legal process, it will be

demonstrated that our patients receive a community standard of care, " Harbin

said.

Staff writer Pfahler contributed to this report.

The former inmates:

Stanley Beale, 47, of Fort Pierce

Arrested in June 2006 on charges of uttering (using) a forged document and

third-degree grand theft.

Pleaded no contest and sentenced Nov. 11, 2006, to a year in the St. Lucie

County Jail with credit for 81 days already served and ordered to pay $4,950 in

restitution.

Victor , 53, of West Palm Beach

Arrested April 1, 2006, for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Pleaded no contest and was sentenced June 8, 2007, to 60 days in the St. Lucie

County Jail followed by 10 months probation and a $1,102 fine, which was

modified to 110 hours of community service.