Oregon jail guards mocked inmate’s rotting leg, lawsuit says

A 59-year-old man rotted in his own waste for days inside an Oregon jail while guards mocked him, allowing a leg infection to turn gangrenous and force an amputation, according to a newly filed lawsuit. The suit alleges jail staff deliberately ignored his medical crisis—even laughing at his smell—before he was finally rushed to hospital where doctors had to remove part of his leg. His name is being withheld in court documents.

The man was booked into the jail on a minor charge in late 2023. By the time he arrived he was already unsteady on his feet and showing early signs of infection, the lawsuit says. Instead of providing medical care or even a clean mattress, guards allegedly left him lying in urine and feces for prolonged stretches. His condition worsened rapidly; his left leg swelled, turned black and emitted a foul odor so strong that officers made jokes about “the stench,” according to the complaint. Nurses and supervisors supposedly received repeated pleas for help but took no action beyond occasional ibuprofen.

Medical records cited in the suit show that when he was finally transferred to a hospital on the fourth day inside the jail, surgeons discovered advanced gangrene. They amputated below the knee to save his life. The Oregon Department of Corrections has not responded to repeated requests for comment. His attorneys argue the episode reflects a pattern of neglect inside the facility, pointing to a 2022 state audit that flagged understaffing and poor medical screening in county jails.

If proven, the lawsuit could force policy changes on how Oregon locks up medically vulnerable inmates and determine how much taxpayers will pay in damages. His lawyers are seeking compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. The case also raises questions about whether guards—already trained to spot medical emergencies—were discouraged by understaffing or simply indifferent to suffering they deemed “inconvenient.” The next hearing is scheduled for next month.