California inmate’s baby died on way to ER after jail staff’s Starbucks stop 

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Settlement Key Takeaways:

  • Sandra Quinones was awarded a $480,000 settlement in her wrongful death lawsuit.
  • Quinones was an inmate at Orange County Jail when her water broke unexpectedly in March of 2016.
  • While in labor, Quinones expressed that she called for help from the jail staff for hours, but they took their time on getting her to the hospital.

A California woman, Sandra Quinones, filed a wrongful death lawsuit after her baby died immediately following birth. She explained that when she went into labor, the staff members of the jail she was taken to, took their time on getting her to the hospital when her water suddenly broke.

In March of 2016, Sandra Quinones had been an inmate at the Orange County Jail; during this time frame, she was six months pregnant, according to the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the Central District of California.

Her water broke that March unexpectedly, and she expressed that she called for help inside her cell for hours before anyone came to help her. She kept pushing a call button in her cell to ask for medical attention, but the jail staff did not show up until two hours had elapsed.

On the way to the hospital, the jail staff stopped by Starbucks, while Quinones was still waiting in the back of a van, while bleeding — and in labor.

The jail staff decided to take matters into their own hands and “transport Quinones to the hospital on a non-emergency basis rather than call an ambulance.”

Unfortunately, when Quinones finally arrived at the hospital and was able to give birth; the baby died shortly after. As a result, Quinones developed severe and extreme post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

This lawsuit states that the jail staff behaved inappropriately and that their actions directly contributed to the death of Quinones’ baby. The actions of the jail staff caused “significant damages including emotional distress and wrongful death damages.”

The Orange County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a settlement for Quinones in the amount of $480,000, according to meeting minutes.

In a statement to Insider, Quinones’ attorney Nicholas Kohan stated that she will, “never forget how she was treated that day and no amount of money will ever make her whole again.”

“However, I am pleased with the result and that the County of Orange acknowledged its wrongdoing. Hopefully this will lead to better conditions and treatment for pregnant women in the Orange County jail, Kohan continued.”

We understand that losing a significant other or family member caused by actions of others is an emotionally challenging ordeal. Other law firms aren’t as equipped as us when it comes to handling wrongful death claims and settlements for our victims’ families.

For 40+ years, families have called upon the Gutierrez Law Firm, after the tragic loss of a loved one, seeking the need for justice. Wrongful death settlements require the help of experienced attorneys with a proven track record of recovering financial compensation for wrongful death settlements.

If you’re mourning the loss of a loved one who has suffered a wrongful death, please don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated personal injury attorneys to seek legal advice, or request a free consultation.

At the Law Offices of Oscar H Gutierrez, we’re here to passionately fight by your side to help you recover the compensation you deserve.