Prisoner sues Sheriff and health providers over lack of prescription pain medication

GRETNA – A prisoner who is serving time in a parish jail after breaking his back when he crashed his car while running from police is suing the jail, sheriff and health providers for allegedly refusing to provide him with prescription pain medication he was prescribed.

John E. Spellman filed suit against Sheriff Newell Normand, Dr. Green, Correct Healthcare and the Parish of Jefferson Correctional Center in the 24th Judicial District Court on Jan. 21.

Spellman asserts that he was in a car accident on Feb. 23, 2013 and was transferred to University Hospital.

According to a report released by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Spellman was afterward charged with aggravated flight from an officer and simple burglary.

The plaintiff alleges that in the car accident he broke bones in his back and was unable to walk for 30 days and was given prescription pain medication for his injuries.  However, Spellman claim after he was released from the hospital to prison the prison's health service and Sheriff Normand refused to provide him with the pain medication, which they determined is a controlled substance.

The defendant is accused of refusing to provide pain medication as ordered by his physician, acting with malice and reckless disregard in refusing to provide pain medication to the plaintiff while he was in severe pain.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for pain and suffering, mental anguish and denial to administer pain medication.

Spellman is representing himself pro se in the case.

The case has been assigned to Division L Judge Donald A. Rowan Jr.

Case no. 734-862.