Rodriguez v. City of New York $8.5 million for Wrongful Death of Jose Santiago at Rikers Island

Jose Santiago’s death was preventable and the result of negligence by the City of New York’s Department of Correction. Jose Santiago died of a heart attack at the age of 25 while incarcerated at Vernon C Bain Correctional Center on Rikers Island. When he approached the Correction Officer sweating profusely and having difficulty breathing the guard dismissed Santiago’s request for treatment; no defibrillator was used to save his life, which it would have according to our expert at trial. No debribrillator was used to save his life although one was at the the jail. The jury verdict was for his two children’s loss of parental guidance.