Inmate Mitchell Gross (Full Name: Mitchell Wayne Gross) Died In Custody At Texas Department of Criminal Justice Michael Unit In Tennessee Colony
ANDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS (November 13, 2023) - A 44-year-old inmate identified as Mitchell Gross has tragically died after a medical emergency at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony.
Anderson County officials are saying that the incident took place on November 9. Correctional officers noticed that Mitchell Gross was in some type of medical distress.
Jail staff began life-saving measures and paramedics were called to the scene. Despite those efforts, Mitchell Gross was later pronounced dead.
His in-custody death report listed pulmonary fibrosis as a cause of death. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Tennessee Colony Inmate Deaths
A large number of inmate deaths are due to respiratory illnesses including pulmonary fibrosis. According to the American Lung Association, “Pulmonary fibrosis is a disease where there is scarring of the lungs—called fibrosis—which makes it difficult to breathe. This is because the scarring causes the tissues in the lungs to get thick and stiff and makes it hard to absorb oxygen into the bloodstream.” There are a number of steps that jails should take to prevent inmates from dying from respiratory illnesses.
- Jails should implement thorough health screenings to identify inmates with respiratory illnesses.
- Jails should have vaccination programs to protect vulnerable inmates from respiratory illnesses.
- Jails should enforce and promote proper hygiene practices for both jail staff and inmates.
- Inmates should get regular health checkups and medical care for their pre-existing medical conditions.
Jails have a legal obligation to provide inmates with reasonably adequate care for all of their health conditions. This includes care for all of the pre-existing health needs that inmates have. Jail deaths are much more likely to take place when inmates health needs are being neglected. If a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of any inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. There are a number of ways that a jail may have contributed to an inmates death.
- A jail may have failed to get an inmate prompt medical care.
- A jail may have failed to give an inmate the medication that they needed.
- A jail may have failed to follow the instructions of medical staff or doctors.
- A jail may have failed to perform required welfare checks.
Jail deaths almost never happen spontaneously out of nowhere. In most situations, they involve inmates whose health deteriorates over time. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any inmate death. Evidence is what will ultimately be used to determine liability. The family of any person that died in an Anderson County Jail may have legal recourse through a constitutional claim.
Investigating Tennessee Colony Inmate Deaths
We at Scott H. Palmer, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mitchell Gross. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about an Anderson County inmate death? Our team of civil rights advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that inmates are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 214-987-4100.