A federal lawsuit claims that the failure of jail officials and contracted medical staff to address a detainee’s serious ankle condition resulted in prolonged pain, infection, and lasting complications. The complaint was filed by James Houck on April 4, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin against Walworth County, Sheriff David Gerber, Jail Superintendent Steve Saks, Registered Nurse Heather Kopydlowski, and Southern Health Partners.
According to the filing, Houck was held as a pre-trial detainee at Walworth County Jail from February 3 to April 25, 2023. During this period, he alleges that his “serious medical and psychological needs were deliberately ignored and neglected” by jail officials and healthcare providers responsible for inmate care. The complaint asserts violations of Houck’s rights under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
The lawsuit details that on February 11, 2023, Houck noticed a “bubble” on his right ankle—an area where he had previously undergone surgery—which appeared red and swollen. He immediately reported this to a correctional officer who contacted health services staff. Medical notes documented swelling and warmth at the site. Despite an appointment with his physician Dr. Daniel Allison on February 15—who ordered an x-ray—and a radiology report by Dr. Yasser Mir recommending further evaluation with a CT scan on February 16, no additional intervention was pursued by jail staff or their contracted healthcare provider.
Houck states that he repeatedly requested further medical attention including an orthopedic consult and evaluation by an infectious disease specialist due to persistent symptoms. These requests were allegedly denied or ignored by RN Heather Kopydlowski and other facility staff. The complaint quotes Kopydlowski as saying “we are not doing anything” when asked about arranging further care.
The filing also reports that Houck’s attorney at the time, Larry Steen, along with Walworth County Chaplain Larry Hansen, directly appealed to Superintendent Saks for appropriate medical intervention due to concerns about infection risk but received no response or action from jail administration.
Houck contends that these failures led to worsening infection in his ankle over several months: “True to their word, the Facility did not attend to HOUCK’s serious ankle issue, leading to prolonged infection, serious pain and suffering, discussion of amputating the ankle and other complications that continue to this day.” Upon transfer from Walworth County Jail to Dodge Correctional Institution on April 25, 2023, critical information about his condition and prescribed antibiotics was reportedly omitted from his health transfer summary signed by Kopydlowski.
As a result of these omissions upon transfer—according to the complaint—the infection persisted for another nine months after leaving Walworth County Jail: “the infection in HOUCK’s ankle festered for another nine (9) months,” exacerbating osteomyelitis (a bone infection) requiring additional treatment.
The lawsuit argues that defendants “were deliberately indifferent to serious medical and psychological needs” in violation of constitutional protections under color of state law. Specific allegations include failure to train staff adequately; failure to seek timely or appropriate care; failure to maintain competent healthcare personnel; lack of supervision; allowing customs or practices of ignoring inmate complaints; and failing to provide care as documented in medical records.
Houck seeks compensatory damages for physical and mental injuries allegedly caused by these actions as well as punitive damages intended as punishment for what is described as willful disregard for inmate health. The complaint also requests attorneys’ fees under federal civil rights statutes (42 U.S.C. §1988) along with any other relief deemed just by the court.
The case is being handled by attorney Walter W. Stern III (Bar No. 1014060), whose office is located at 920 85th St., Suite 123 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The case number is 2:26-cv-00579-WED.
Source: 226cv00579_Houck_v_Walworth_County_Complaint_Eastern_District_Wisconsin.pdf
