Family of inmate seeks $500,000

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — The family of a former Hall County Jail inmate who fell at the jail has filed a wrongful death claim against Hall County seeking a half-million dollars.

Julie Lutt, 44, fell in the jail booking area Jan. 11 after being arrested at her Grand Island home for third-degree domestic assault. She was taken from the jail to a hospital in Kearney and died two days later.

Scottsbluff attorney Maren Chaloupka said Lutt died “as a result of negligence on the part of the Hall County Jail and personnel employed there.”

“This claim thus includes allegations for negligent care, evaluation and treatment and failure to communicate with medical providers on Mrs. Lutt’s behalf when such communication became appropriate,” Chaloupka wrote in a Nov. 3 letter to the county.

A grand jury ruled the death accidental and made no recommendations for any changes.

However, county supervisors serving on the board of corrections noted that jail staff were reviewing possible changes to their booking procedures after the death occurred.

Hall County Corrections Director Fred Ruiz said Monday that no changes in booking procedures have been made.
The video and audio recordings from the jail the morning of Lutt’s fall document her stumbling, crying, yelling and swearing at jail personnel as she is booked into the jail. The videos also show jail staff advising her to sit down.

After nearly two hours in the booking area, Lutt’s figure can be seen in her cell’s window. She hollers, and then a loud bang is heard. Corrections officers run to the cell and ultimately call an ambulance.

Chaloupka said she is authorized “to settle this claim for $500,000.”

The claim was given to Hall County supervisors on Tuesday. No action was taken.