Federal Judge Approves Settlement In Man's 2017 Death At Forsyth County Jail

A confidential settlement has been reached in the death of a Winston-Salem man at the Forsyth County jail over three years ago. 

The settlement is related to the lawsuit filed on behalf of 41-year-old Stephen Antwan Patterson, who was one of two men who died at the jail in 2017.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder approved the settlement but sealed the financial disclosure to protect the privacy of Patterson's children, three of whom are minors.

A wrongful death lawsuit in the case of Deshawn Lamont Coley is still pending.

The two deaths drew attention to Correct Care Solutions, now known as Wellpath, which is responsible for health care at the Forsyth County Jail.

According to the lawsuit, medical personnel at the jail failed to treat Patterson's high blood pressure, which led to his death. Correct Care argued Patterson's death was primarily caused by pre-existing conditions.

Forsyth Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough tells the Winston-Salem Journal he doesn't have much choice when it comes to a health care provider for the jail, calling Wellpath “the only game in town.”