LIVINGSTON – A citizen of Livingston is suing over alleged violations of his Constitutional rights with regards to his arrest and incarceration.
Justin Abbott filed the suit March 21 in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, Livingston Division against the Town of Livingston, Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Jason Ard, Livingston Parish Detention Center (LPDC) and Office Brian Reeves, citing violation of the First, Fourth and 14th Amendments.
On Sept. 30, 2015, the suit states Reeves arrived at the plaintiff's home. Although the plaintiff allegedly had been bitten, the defendant arrested him and refused him medical assistance, according to the complaint.
Reeves took the plaintiff to LPDC, where staff there allegedly ignored his pleas for medical attention for the bite on his leg. From Sept. 20 to Oct. 6, 2015, the plaintiff told staff he needed medical attention but again his requests were allegedly denied. The site of the bite developed a serious infection, the suit states.
Members of the plaintiff's family contacted staff at LPDC to tell them he needed immediate medical attention, but they allegedly were ignored as well.
Ultimately, the plaintiff developed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and was hospitalized for seven days upon his release from prison, the suit states. He has a large hole in his left leg where the infection was located, according to the complaint.
The plaintiff suffers physical and mental pain, loss of earnings and earning capacity, medical bills and a loss of enjoyment of life, the suit states.
In addition to a trial by jury, the plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages, court costs and expert fees, interest and other relief the court deems proper. He is represented by Harold D. Register III of Lafayette.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, Livingston Division Case number 16-cv-00188