Alabama Jury Awards $400,000 to Inmate Over Neglected Injury Leading to Foot Amputation

MOBILE, Ala. — A federal jury awarded $400,000 this week to a man from Escambia County, Alabama, after he claimed a prison doctor neglected an injury that later led to the partial amputation of his foot. Canyon Duff Moye, who was incarcerated at Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore, accused the prison’s medical director, Dr. Manuel Pouparinas, of deliberate indifference to his medical condition during his time in prison from October 2019 to August 2022.

Moye, 28, from Uriah, initially sustained an injury following a car accident in 2015 which resulted in peripheral neuropathy, a condition resulting in reduced feeling in his left leg and foot. His condition worsened in prison leading to an injury to his left foot’s toe. Moye’s attorneys argued that the lack of timely and effective medical response from Pouparinas necessitated the partial amputation of Moye’s foot, which was ultimately performed in 2020 at North Baldwin Infirmary in Bay Minette.

The legal representatives for Pouparinas countered the claims, asserting that Moye’s foot infection had been successfully treated two months before his transition from the Escambia County Jail to the state prison system. They denied any negligence on part of the physician.

Tiffany Ray, one of Moye’s lawyers, highlighted the broader implications of the jury’s decision in U.S. District Court, emphasizing the constitutional rights of prisoners. “Certainly, it’s important to Canyon, and it’s deserved,” Ray said. “And I think it’s also important in a larger sense because it sends a message that just because someone is incarcerated doesn’t mean they forfeit all of their constitutional rights.”

This case underlines ongoing concerns about the adequacy of healthcare services provided in prisons, a long-standing issue within the justice system. Dr. Pouparinas worked for a private company tasked with providing medical care throughout the Alabama prison system, a common arrangement in many state facilities across the country. This setup often raises questions about the quality and thoroughness of the care provided to inmates, particularly those with serious or chronic conditions.

Healthcare for incarcerated individuals remains a critical issue, with advocates arguing that neglecting the health needs of prisoners not only violates individual rights but also poses broader public health risks. The verdict in Moyue’s case may serve as a critical signal to other medical professionals in the correctional system on the necessitating the adherence to standards of care irrespective of a patient’s incarceration status.

The implications of this case resonate beyond the personal victory for Moye and could potentially influence future policies and practices regarding medical care in prisons. It sheds light on systemic issues that need addressing to ensure that the constitutional rights to health care in prisons are respected and fulfilled.