A federal lawsuit against a controversial jail health care provider appears headed to a jury trial to determine whether the company violated the constitutional rights of a 74-year-old man who died after spending two months in a western Oklahoma jail.
It is believed to be the first time a federal court has denied summary judgment in a municipal liability claim against TK Health, formerly known as Turn Key Health Clinics, a major Oklahoma City-based medical care provider contracted with county jails in Oklahoma and other states.
The lawsuit alleges inadequate medical care and civil rights violations led to the death of Marvin G. May, who was detained at the Custer County jail in January 2022. Lawyers for May’s daughters accuse the jail and medical staff of violating the U.S. Constitution’s Eighth and 14th amendments, which are meant to protect people from unfair treatment before or after trial and to guarantee due process and equal treatment under the law…