News Summary
A lawsuit has been filed against Wellpath Holdings for allegedly delaying medical care for inmate Cody Smith at the Lexington County Detention Center, leading to severe health issues. Smith experienced alarming symptoms and claims his pleas for help were ignored. Following his release, he was diagnosed with AIDS and HIV encephalitis. This case raises concerns about the healthcare services provided by third-party contractors to inmates.
Lexington County Jail Lawsuit Claims Delayed Medical Care Worsened Inmate’s Health
A lawsuit has been filed in Lexington County against Wellpath Holdings, Inc., a third-party contractor responsible for providing medical care to inmates at the Lexington County Detention Center. The case revolves around Cody Smith, an inmate who alleges that substantial delays in receiving medical treatment led to a severe deterioration in his health during his imprisonment.
Smith was booked into the detention center on November 17, 2023. During his nearly two months of incarceration, he experienced significant medical issues, including persistent diarrhea, difficulty walking, and an altered mental status. Despite his alarming symptoms, he claims that his requests for medical assistance were largely ignored until January 2024. Smith reported the presence of blood in his stool and sought help, yet the response from the medical staff was inadequate, with his first scheduled appointment taking place weeks later.
The timeline of events reveals a troubling pattern. Smith had an appointment arranged for December, a mere 13 days after he first expressed concern over his declining health. However, he declined to attend the appointment due to his condition. By the time he was seen, Smith was described as unable to function and had a severely compromised mental state. His roommate observed that Smith could not walk and spent long periods sitting in the shower, highlighting the alarming state of his health and inability to seek help.
In addition, the lawsuit suggests negligence in the initial medical screening that Smith underwent when he was first incarcerated. Despite having a history of intravenous drug use and multiple sexual partners, he was not tested for HIV. Smith’s attorney contends that had testing been conducted sooner, serious potential health complications could have been identified and treated.
After being released from the detention center on January 17, 2024, Smith was let go in the middle of the night without adequate clothing, specifically without a coat. Shortly after his release, a correctional officer found Smith outside the facility, unable to walk. He was subsequently picked up by his father and taken for medical care. Two days following his release, Smith tested positive for AIDS and was diagnosed with HIV encephalitis, a severe condition that can lead to cognitive impairments and motor dysfunction.
This lawsuit against Wellpath is not an isolated incident. The company has previously faced several similar allegations regarding denied or delayed medical care in correctional facilities. Wellpath Holdings, Inc. has been contracted by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department for approximately $5 million annually to manage inmate healthcare services. However, it was reported that Wellpath filed for bankruptcy in December 2023, grappling with numerous medical malpractice lawsuits.
A CNN report from 2019 uncovered that a predecessor entity of Wellpath was linked to over 70 deaths in jails, raising significant concerns about the company’s practices in inmate healthcare. As these legal proceedings unfold, the future of healthcare provisions for inmates in Lexington County remains uncertain, with questions about accountability and the treatment standards provided by third-party contractors like Wellpath.
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Additional Resources
- The State: Inmate Health Lawsuit
- Wikipedia: Inmate Healthcare
- Lexington County Sheriff: Inmate Death Investigation
- Google Search: Inmate Healthcare Lawsuit
- WLTX: Impersonating Agent Arrest
- Google Scholar: Inmate Medical Negligence
- WIS TV: SLED Investigates Inmate Death
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Inmate Healthcare System
- WACH: Former Chemist Charged
- Google News: Lexington County Detention Center
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
