Man dies after broken ribs lead to neglect in Colorado jail
- Michael Burch suffered severe injuries during an altercation with a deputy at a rural Colorado jail in March 2023.
- Despite visible distress and requests for medical assistance, he received no adequate care and was not sent to a hospital.
- His family's lawsuit claims negligence led to his death after a week without treatment.
In March 2023, Michael Burch, a 69-year-old man, was involved in an altercation with a deputy at the Huerfano County jail in Colorado. During this incident, he was tackled for refusing to drop a pencil, resulting in broken ribs and a collapsed lung. Despite Burch's physical distress and requests for medical help, he was not taken to the hospital but moved to a different cell, where he languished without care for another week. An autopsy later confirmed the fatal severity of his injuries, ruling his death a homicide. A lawsuit filed by his family alleges systemic negligence and constitutional rights violations by the jail staff and health care providers. They argue that despite video evidence of his distress, adequate medical evaluation was not performed to address his severe injuries. The deputy involved claimed self-defense when using a Taser on Burch, and subsequent state investigations failed to bring charges against him. The family is seeking accountability for the circumstances leading to Burch’s death, highlighting broader concerns regarding inmate healthcare and treatment in correctional facilities.