Williams Cedar and the estate of Kristen E. Corson, a Coalport woman who tragically died of pneumonia while in the Clearfield County Jail, has reached a settlement in the federal civil rights lawsuit filed against the county, probation officers, the warden, and corrections officers. Philadelphia attorney Dylan Hastings, representing the estate, can confirm that the case has been settled for $2.5 million.
Kristen E. Corson, a 36-year-old mother of two, was found dead in a “holding tank” within the Clearfield County Jail, where she had been admitted on October 10, 2019. Two probation officers believed she was under the influence of drugs and uncooperative during an investigation into her situation. However, Kristen repeatedly informed the officers and prison officials that she was not under the influence but rather seriously ill. She even left a voicemail for a probation officer the day before her arrest, stating she was vomiting and believed she had the flu. Despite her obvious need for emergency medical attention upon arriving at the jail, Kristen’s pleas for help went unanswered. She informed corrections officers multiple times about her illness, but who ignored her requests for medical care. The tragic situation escalated when, in the early hours of October 11, 2019, she was captured on surveillance cameras crawling towards the restroom area of her holding cell. Tragically, Kristen succumbed to pneumonia, as the autopsy report later revealed, with no illegal drugs found in her system.
After months of legal proceedings and unsuccessful mediation efforts, the parties finally reached a settlement on June 22, 2023. The proposed settlement of $2.5 million includes $1.5 million to be placed in trust for Kristen’s children and $1 million in attorney fees. The settlement is pending approval from federal District Judge Stephanie L. Haines in Johnstown. The $2.5 million settlement aims to provide financial support to Kristen Corson’s children and seeks to bring some closure to her grieving family. The settlement agreement not only addresses the financial aspect of the tragedy but also marks a step towards accountability and justice.
The settlement in this wrongful death lawsuit of Kristen E. Corson against the Clearfield County Jail, probation officers, warden, and corrections officers for $2.5 million serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of upholding the rights and well-being of incarcerated individuals. This tragic case underscores the need for adequate medical attention and care within correctional facilities and calls for a closer examination of the treatment of inmates across the country. As the legal process moves forward, the hope is that this settlement will provide some solace to Kristen’s family, while also serving as a catalyst for positive changes in the criminal justice system to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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Williams Cedar has a proven track record of protecting the personal, civil, and consumer rights of clients throughout the country, and New Jersey and Pennsylvania in particular. From personal injury cases and civil rights cases to individual and class action environmental toxic tort cases, our diverse and experienced legal team has an extensive understanding of the law and what it takes to secure maximum cash settlements for our clients.