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$3M Ruling Upheld In Vista Jail Death Case

A federal judge Thursday upheld a jury's $3 million award for the family of a 21-year-old man who died in the county-run Vista jail from an asthma attack brought on by heroin withdrawal.

Daniel Sisson died in his cell on June 25, 2011. In November, a jury found that San Diego County and two nurses were deliberately indifferent toward Sisson's health problems, resulting in his death.

A pathologist testified that Sisson died from an asthma attack brought on by heroin withdrawal.

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Sisson's civil rights were violated, jurors found, because jail staffers failed to adequately monitor inmates, especially those with health issues.

In arguing for a new trial, county attorneys said the death was the first in the jail related to asthma or heroin withdrawal.

The county argued that Sisson was treated appropriately and refused a doctor's appointment.

U.S. District Court Judge Cynthia Bashant ruled on Thursday that the jury's verdict was not contradictory, and that the award was not excessive.