County settles multi-million dollar lawsuit

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Story Published: Sep 26, 2007 at 7:40 PM PST

By Kevin Taggart

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Douglas County has settled a lawsuit out of court, brought by a woman who had an aneurysm in the jail. She was there on a three day stay, while awaiting transfer to another facility in December of 2000.

County Commissioners approved an agreement Wednesday with Stacy Webb, who was suing the county for 15 million dollars, claiming she didn't get proper healthcare while in the jail.

Attorney Jens Schmidt represented the county in the suit. He says they were fortunate to settle for 1.7 million dollars. About 2/3 of that will come from the insurance covering the doctor.

"I think given the risk and the size of the potential verdict against the county, that this is not only a very reasonable and prudent settlement, but it's a very good settlement, and I very strongly recommend that you approve it."

Commissioner Marilyn Kittelman said she wouldn't vote for the settlement.

"Again, I acknowledge the risk, but a decision like this sets bad precedents, and it's consistent with my long-held belief and my consistent votes in opposition, that settlement of another 750,000 dollar lawsuit cracks another door open and puts another mark on Douglas County."

Commissioner Robertson responded by saying, "This is a case we should never have been in. This person wasn't arrested in this county, we tried to do what our normal procedures require when somebody comes in, but the exposure is enormous."

Schmidt says the woman is back in her home state of South Dakota, is living in a rest home and will likely be there the rest of her life. The County will be responsible for 750,000 dollars of the settlement.

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