Parents of man who died in Pierce County Jail file $2 million claim

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — The parents of a Pierce County man who died in jail have filed a $2 million claim against Pierce County, Sheriff Paul Pastor and a corrections deputy alleging civil right violations.

The News Tribune reports the claim alleges a lack of treatment for Matthew Smith's Crohn's disease and a sepsis infection led to his death in October.

Ben and Nona Smith said they filed the claim to get answers about how their 48-year-old son died and to make sure other inmates receive proper medical care.

Sheriff's Department spokesman Ed Troyer says the agency just found out about the claim, will review it, investigate and respond.

Pierce County has 60 days to reply to the claim. The Smiths' attorney Ashton Dennis says after that a lawsuit can be filed.