Family of diabetic man who died in jail files lawsuit

The family of a 36-year-old diabetic man who died in the Hinds County Detention Center after reportedly not being given his insulin has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

The family of Ben Phillips filed the suit in federal court against Hinds County and the New York-based private medical company Quality Choice Correctional Health Care, which contracts with the jail.

Phillips was arrested for DUI on June 9, 2014, and taken to the Raymond jail. Twelve days later, he was found dead in his cell. The autopsy stated that "the detention center had reportedly been on a lock down cycle, and the decedent had reportedly not received his insulin."

The lawsuit cites medical records showing inconsistencies in the administering of his insulin, including stints at Central Mississippi Medical Center and River Oaks Hospital after reportedly not being given his insulin the first four days he was in jail.

He was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis at the hospital, according to the lawsuit, and was returned to the jail on June 17, 2014.

Phillips was prescribed several medications, including insulin injections two times a day. He received those for two days after returning to the jail, but only his morning dose on June 20, according to the complaint. The next day, he was found dead in his cell.

In Quality Choice Correctional Health Care's response, it acknowledges Phillips was taken to the hospital but denies that he wasn't given his insulin before or after.

The company is being represented by attorneys at Butler Snow law firm.

Phillips' parents didn't learn he was in the hospital until they received his medical records after his death, they said.

The lawsuit alleges unconstitutional conditions of confinement, denial of medical care, negligence, medical malpractice and negligent hiring and supervision.

The family is requesting a jury trial, in addition to $7.5 million in damages and attorney's fees.

Calls to attorneys for the county and the medical company were not immediately returned on Monday afternoon.

Attorney Charles Mullins of Coxwell & Associates is representing the family.

"This is the bottom line, and I think I speak for the family -- they wanted answers to the questions of 'How did this happen?'" Mullins said. "There are lots of questions that need to be answered."

The family of Markuieze Sherod Bennett, a 21-year-old man killed during a March 2014 riot at the Raymond jail, also filed a wrongful death lawsuit last September against the county.

Contact Kate Royals at (601) 360-4619 or kroyals@gannett.com. Follow @KRRoyals on Twitter.