Due to the important nature of the jail and police cases we handle at Budge & Heipt, our cases are frequently featured in the news. In addition, journalists and reporters often seek to interview Ed Budge and Erik Heipt about our views on civil rights violations, including wrongful death or catastrophic injury by police or in jail or prison. Please take some time to read about our firm and our attorneys in the news, and review our blog to learn more about our firm and issues surrounding the cases we take.
Federal civil rights cases involving the deaths of those confined in jail or prison can be analyzed under either the Eighth Amendment or the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Eighth Amendment, which prohibits “cruel and unusual punishment,” applies to the rights of convicted prisoners. The Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees “due process,” applies to […]
Budge & Heipt attorney Ed Budge will speak to a group of Washington attorneys on the subject of jail death litigation at an upcoming seminar. The seminar, to be held on November 16, 2017 at the Motif Hotel in Seattle, will feature a variety of speakers on the topic of civil rights litigation. Ed’s presentation, […]
From The Huffington Post, June 22, 2017: Erik Heipt, Contributor Civil Rights Attorney The Tragic Death Of Otto Warmbier And What We Can Learn From It Let’s judge our own country by how we treat our prisoners. 06/22/2017 03:35 am ET My heart goes out to the family of Otto Warmbier, the young American citizen […]
A wrongful death case involving the death of a Washington state inmate has been settled for $1.5 million. Budge & Heipt represented the estate of the deceased inmate. From the June 18, 2017 Everett Herald: State settles prison death lawsuit for $1.5 million MONROE — The attack in 2015 was vicious, quick and deadly. Late […]
The New York Times is reporting on an in-custody death lawsuit being handled by Budge & Heipt. The case relates to the death of Michael Sabbie who died in the Bi-State Jail on the border of Texas and Arkansas: For-Profit Jail Is Accused of Ignoring Man’s Pleas for Medical Help Before Death By MATTHEW HAAG […]
The New York Daily News is reporting on a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Budge & Heipt on behalf of the family of a man who died in jail. The lawsuit alleges excessive force and lack of constitutionally-required medical care leading up to and surrounding the death. From the New York Daily News: BY Brett […]
NBC News is reporting on a case filed on May 24, 2017 by jail death attorneys Budge & Heipt. The case involves the death of Michael Sabbie, a pretrial detainee and father of four who was being held at the Bi-State Jail located on the border of Texas and Arkansas. From NBC News, May 25, […]
From the Colorado Springs Gazette, May 14, 2017: Cause-of-death finding bolsters cover-up claim in Fremont County jail inmate’s death By: Lance Benzel May 14, 2017 Updated: May 15, 2017 at 12:12 pm The El Paso County Coroner’s Office has issued a finding in the 2014 death of a Fremont County jail inmate that backs up […]
The New York Times is reporting on the verdict of an inquest jury into the jail death of Terrill Thomas. Budge & Heipt represents Mr. Thomas’s estate in connection with anticipated civil litigation arising from his death. From the New York Times: Milwaukee Jail Workers Should Be Charged in Dehydration Death, Jury Says By NIRAJ […]
The New York Times has published an article reporting on the jail death of Terrill Thomas, a pretrial detainee who died after being deprived of water in his jail cell. Budge & Heipt represents Mr. Thomas’s estate. From the April 25, 2017 New York Times: Milwaukee Inmate Died After Being Deprived of Water for 7 […]
If you or a loved one has been a victim of serious injury and/or death at the hands of police or in jail or prison, tell us about your case.