Wrongful death lawsuit filed in inmate’s suicide
The Lakeville mother of a state prisoner who committed suicide is suing the state of Minnesota, alleging wrongful death.
David A. Laugerude, 28, died Jan. 25 while on a suicide watch and in a locked-down security area at the state prison in Rush City after taking an overdose of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, according to a suit filed against the state.
Deb Laugerude said her son had been diagnosed with bipolar and schizophrenic disorders and was known to be suicidal, yet he had about 700 pills of various kinds, administered by the prison, in his cell when he died. The suit, filed last month, alleges that David Laugerude died as a result of negligence, which included prison employees allowing him to have so much mixed medication.
The suit seeks at least $50,000 in damages for Laugerude's survivors.