Family files wrongful death lawsuit after man dies of heat exposure in Maricopa County

The Brief

  • The family of Lafayette Palmes, a 58-year-old man with mental health issues who died of heat exposure and dehydration in Phoenix last summer, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Maricopa County & other parties, seeking accountability for his death while under county guardianship.
  • The lawsuit claims Palmes’ death was a result of several failures in his care, including a facility transfer, a missed medical appointment, and a delayed missing person report.

PHOENIX One year after a man with mental health issues was found dead from heat exposure and dehydration on a 116-degree day in Phoenix, his family is filing a wrongful death lawsuit against multiple parties, including Maricopa County.

FOX 10 has been collecting documentation on this story since last summer.

The backstory:

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