The family of Zareef M. Fawaz has submitted notice of their intent to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Madison County Jail, alleging that officers failed to provide him with life-saving medication.
This failure, according to the family, resulted in Fawaz’s death on May 31, 2023.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, condemned the alleged medical neglect, calling it “cruel and unusual punishment.”
Fawaz, who suffered from blood clots, was prescribed daily blood thinners. However, according to family members and witnesses, jail officers allegedly withheld his medication for 10 days.
During this period, Fawaz reportedly begged for his prescription to no avail. At a press conference, his mother expressed frustration over the lack of accountability, stating:
“All we want is somebody to say, we fumbled the ball. We should have did this. We should have did better. We should have heard his cries.”
Crump stressed the gravity of the situation, stating:
“It’s cruel and unusual punishment for a sick man to beg and plead for his medicine. And you deny him that medicine. All we want is justice.”
Fawaz’s family believes that if he had received his prescribed treatment, he would still be alive today.
His sister recalled that before his death, Fawaz repeatedly informed her that jail staff refused to provide him with his medication. His passing has raised concerns about medical care in correctional facilities, particularly regarding the treatment of detainees with chronic health conditions.
