Family of OK County jail inmate who died in 2022 files lawsuit against trust, commissioners

The father of an Oklahoma County jail inmate who died during the COVID-19 pandemic is suing the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority and the county Board of Commissioners.

In Oklahoma County District Court, James McMichael filed the lawsuit seeking in excess of $75,000 following the 2022 death of his son, Corey McMichael, who died of an illness at age 47.

The jail does not comment on pending litigation.

In the lawsuit, James McMichael claims his son was a pretrial detainee who complained of vertigo and headaches as his health deteriorated.

“Despite requests, McMichael was not provided with appropriate and timely medical care and was sick for at least a few weeks before receiving medical treatment,” the lawsuit states.

James McMichael claims his son “was eventually” taken for treatment at the jail on June 27, 2022, where a nurse witnessed him having seizure-like activity.

Corey McMichael was transported to a hospital that same day, according to the lawsuit.

At the hospital, Cory McMichael experienced an “altered mental state, seizures, stroke-like symptoms, diplopia, slurred speech and weakness,” according to the lawsuit.

James McMichael claims his son was able to communicate to hospital staff that he had complaints of headaches and not feeling well for about one month, and no history of seizures.

His son also experienced respiratory failure, cardiopulmonary failure and streptococcus pneumoniae while at the hospital, according to the lawsuit.

Corey McMichael died July 2, 2022.

In the lawsuit, James McMichael blames the Oklahoma County jail for his son’s death, claiming that officers showed deliberate indifference to his health and safety, and failed to protect him from harm.