Man who sued jail, police over frozen feet found dead

Article by: JAMES WALSH , Star Tribune
Updated: March 4, 2010 - 11:15 PM

An autopsy will be done to see if frostbite was a factor in Patrick Uzalac's death, his lawyer said.

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Patrick Uzalac, the man who sued Ramsey County and the New Brighton Police Department last week for their alleged failure to provide medical care for his frozen feet, is dead.

His attorney Robert Hajek said Uzalac, 43, died suddenly Wednesday at his sister's home in Clear Lake, Iowa. It appears Uzalac died of natural causes, Hajek said, but an autopsy will be performed to determine if the injuries Uzalac suffered in January contributed to his death.

If so, "it turns into a wrongful-death case," Hajek said.

Very early on Jan. 9 Uzalac locked himself out of his apartment wearing only a T-shirt, shorts and socks. Neighbors called police when he tossed snowballs at their windows to get in. Police discovered he had an outstanding warrant, so they took him to jail instead of letting him back into his apartment to get shoes, Hajek said.

Jail staff allegedly ignored his pleas for medical help for his blistered and discolored feet for more than a day, when a nurse suggested he go to the emergency room. Uzalac did, after his family bailed him out and took him to a hospital in Mason City, Iowa.

Uzalac's suit sought more than $50,000 in damages.

On Thursday, Holli Drinkwine, a spokeswoman for the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office issued this statement: "During the 40 hours he was in our custody, he received professional medical attention from the Ramsey County Public Health nursing staff. Typically it would take two to three days for the effects of cold weather exposure to display themselves. Our sympathies go out to Mr. Uzalac and his family."

James Walsh • 612-673-7428

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Man claims police ignored frozen feet

Last update: Thursday February 25, 2010 - 9:37 PM

Patrick Uzalac's lawsuit says New Brighton police and Ramsey County jailers refused him medical care for severe frostbite for 42 hours.