Family Of Man Who Hung Himself In Jail Receives $50,000 To Settle Wrongful Death Case
The Frederick County jail will pay $50,000 to the family of Justin Lihvarcik, an inmate who hung himself while he was at the jail. According to the wrongful death lawsuit, the jail engaged in negligent behavior because he was suppose to be under the watch of guards at the time he died. According to the lawsuit 26 year old Lihvarcik was placed in a holding cell at approximately 2:30 a.m. after being charged with second-degree assault as a result of a fight with his girlfriend. Three hours later officers found the man hung from the top bunk of his cell by fashioning a noose from his shoelaces.
According to the policy in place at the jail the officers were suppose to check inmate cells every 20 minutes. It is not uncommon in wrongful death lawsuits to learn that policies and procedures are not being followed. It is hard to say if Lihvarcik would be alive today had the officers checked his cell every 20 minutes but policies are in place for a reason. This is a sad case and I am glad to see it resolved early so the family does not have to re-live the case over and over.
