Pasadena settles for $8.5 million over woman's jail suicide attempt

The family of a woman who suffered a brain injury after attempting suicide in a Pasadena jail in 2015 has announced an $8.5 million settlement with the city.
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- The family of a woman who suffered a brain injury after attempting suicide in a Pasadena jail in 2015 has announced an $8.5 million settlement with the city.

Attorneys representing 31-year-old Margarita Perez say surveillance video shows the woman preparing to hang herself.
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The lawsuit claims Perez was hanging from a second-story railing for 26 minutes before the jail staff noticed.

Attorneys say the loss of oxygen to her brain left Perez with a permanent brain injury, paralyzing her from the neck down.
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The city of Pasadena responded to the settlement, calling the events "extremely tragic" and says the jail has taken steps to help prevent suicides.

Safety enhancements include body-worn cameras, ongoing suicide crisis and prevention courses, rescue training, and in-house protocol drills, among other efforts.

If you or someone you know needs help, do not hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.
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