In a thunderous verdict that reverberated across the correctional healthcare sector, a Seattle federal jury has ordered NaphCare Inc. to pay $25 million to an inmate whose leg was amputated after what he alleged was a shocking neglect of medical care inside a Washington county jail. The NaphCare $25M Verdict comes after a gripping 10-day trial and more than eight hours of jury deliberation, exposing what plaintiffs argued was a culture of profit over patient care.
The jury on Friday found that the company, contracted to provide medical services at the Pierce County Jail, violated Javier Tapia’s constitutional rights by failing to treat his deteriorating condition stemming from blood clots. Tapia, now permanently disabled, accused NaphCare of systemic failure—and the jury agreed.
The Damning Details: Constitution Violated, Customs Questioned
Jurors concluded that NaphCare’s staff not only neglected Tapia’s needs but did so in alignment with a “widespread or longstanding custom,” implicating the company’s institutional practices. The award includes $5 million in compensatory damages and a staggering $20 million in punitive damages—designed to send a message.
Tapia’s legal team painted a chilling picture: Licensed practical nurses allegedly operated beyond their training, guards were tasked with monitoring medical conditions, and communication between medical and mental health professionals was alarmingly poor.
“This verdict is about accountability,” said Ryan Dreveskracht of Galanda Broadman PLLC, who represented Tapia. “For Javier, this is one step toward ensuring that this never happens again to anyone incarcerated in our jails.”
