Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed in Inmate’s Death

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by the estate of an Oklahoma state prison inmate who died nearly a year ago at the Lawton Correctional Facility.

The lawsuit seeking more than $10,000 was filed in Comanche County District Court against the state Department of Corrections, The GEO Group Inc., the prison warden and an unknown correctional officer for the Nov. 12, 2012, death of 39-year-old William Schrader Jr.

GEO operates the prison.

A corrections department spokesman declined comment. Representatives of GEO and the prison did not immediately respond to telephone calls and emails for comment.

An autopsy found that Schrader died of an overdose of medication for high blood pressure.

The Lawton Constitution reports that the lawsuit alleges that prison staff members were negligent in administering the medication.