LUCASVILLE, Ohio — A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Ohio Department of Corrections by an inmate alleging denial of medical care at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville.
The plaintiff, 38-year-old James Harris, reportedly attempted suicide by swallowing over 20 batteries while incarcerated. According to his attorneys, prison staff denied him necessary medical care following the suicide attempt, leading to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that Harris, suffering from depression, swallowed 25 AA batteries. Despite reporting severe pain in the days following the incident, Harris claims that prison staff denied him medical attention. His attorneys further claim that a prison corrections officer even nicknamed Harris “Lithium,” referencing the type of batteries he had ingested.
Harris was convicted in 2006 for multiple crimes including aggravated robbery and aggravated murder.
