San Diego, CA – San Diego County and its private healthcare contractor have settled for $15 million in a lawsuit following the death of Elisa Serna, a 24-year-old pregnant woman who died in custody at Las Colinas jail nearly five years ago. The settlement comes just weeks before the case was scheduled to be heard by a federal jury.
Serna tragically lost her life after collapsing in her cell, a distressing event that was witnessed by a sheriff’s deputy and a medical worker who subsequently left her unattended. This forthcoming payment marks the largest wrongful-death settlement approved by the Board of Supervisors, attorneys for the plaintiff disclosed.
Under the terms of the agreement, the county will bear the majority of the financial burden, contributing $14 million, while Coast Correctional Medical Group, the subcontractor providing medical services at the jail, will pay out $1 million. According to the settlement terms, “The parties will file a notice of settlement with the United States District Court and move to dismiss this case with prejudice, as well as the pending appeal, within three days of the settlement payment.”
The announcement of the settlement was confirmed by the overseeing judge on the court’s website and will be formally presented at a press conference on Tuesday. This resolution comes after a marathon 12-hour negotiation session that concluded last Friday night.
Sheriff Kelly Martinez, who assumed office after the incident, highlighted the significant reforms made under her administration to improve jail conditions. Martinez stated, “There have been many changes and an incredible shift in our jail system since 2019. I am dedicated to continuing to enhance the safety and operations of our jails for both the incarcerated and our staff.”
The accord, besides the monetary compensation, mandates new training protocols for deputies and medical staff, emphasizing compassion in handling inmates. It also requires an update to the policies regarding the monitoring of vital signs in the medical observation units.
A poignant part of the settlement includes a personal meeting between Sheriff Martinez and Elisa Serna’s parents, Michael and Paloma Serna, who have been vocal advocates for jail reform since their daughter’s death. Paloma Serna conveyed that the financial aspect of the settlement was secondary to her ongoing commitment to reform, stating, “The dollar amount doesn’t matter. These things do not change the fact that Elisa is never coming back.”
Additionally, the settlement stipulates that the federal judge will monitor the compliance of the Sheriff’s Department with the settlement terms over the next 12 months. This oversight marks an unprecedented move towards federal involvement in local sheriff’s operations.
Legal representatives for the Serna family believe the settlement could be a catalyst for systemic changes within the Sheriff’s Department. Attorney Eugene Iredale, representing the Serna family, remarked, “This case has highlighted critical deficiencies in our system that we can no longer ignore. It’s imperative that we ensure such neglect does not happen again.”
The lawsuit shed light on the broader issue of fatalities in custody, with San Diego County recording one of the highest jail death rates nationally. Since Elisa Serna’s death in November 2019, 75 inmates have died while in custody, amplifying calls for significant reform and oversight.
This case and its resolution arrive amid ongoing scrutiny and a series of reforms aimed at improving conditions and oversight in jails across California, spotlighting the need for continuous enhancements in the treatment and safety of inmates. The county’s involvement in multiple ongoing legal cases related to inmate deaths underscores the urgency and scale of these required reforms.