California Prison Doctor Awarded $16.8 Million After Inmate Threat Reporting: A Reflection on Institutional Accountability
The case involved a California prison psychologist who received a threat from an inmate and subsequently lost her job after raising safety concerns. A jury awarded Dr. Beth Fischgrund $16.8 million due to the employer’s alleged failure to protect her, firing her, and defaming her by spreading rumors. The inmate, who reportedly threatened the psychologist, was not removed from the unit, and Fischgrund was subsequently let go and faced reputational damage. The court determined the state failed to address the risk properly, resulting in severe emotional damage to the psychologist.
John Q. Hosedrinker