Parents file claim in death of Stanislaus inmate

The parents of a 23-year-old inmate who died of a head injury have filed a claim against Stanislaus County.

Nurses at the men's jail in downtown Modesto apparently did not know Ryan Rogers had fractured his skull when he passed out and hit his head on a cell floor about 2:50 p.m. Aug. 23.

A physician gave orders to nurses over the telephone for medicine and an electrolyte drink, and Rogers was returned to his cell, the claim says.

Four hours later, a guard initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation and an ambulance rushed Rogers to a hospital where he underwent emergency brain surgery, but he died five days later.

"It's a real sad situation," said Sacramento attorney Eric Ratinoff, who filed the claim on behalf of Rogers' parents, Mona and Thomas, who live in Modesto. "He was a young man, and this was a completely avoidable death."

County Counsel John Doering said the county's review had just begun and he did not know why Rogers had been arrested. Sheriff Adam Christianson could not be reached.

Claims can serve as precursors to lawsuits. The Rogerses' claim was stamped Jan. 27, and county supervisors formally referred it to risk managers Tuesday.

The document says county employees or agents "failed to summon and/or provide required medical care" and acted "with deliberate indifference" for the inmate's health.

Guards work for the county Sheriff's Department, which contracts with the company employing medical personnel for jails.