Opinion ID: 2757495
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Jordan’s Medical Condition and Detainment

Text: Jordan was diagnosed with Addison’s disease when he was approximately 17 years old. Addison’s disease causes a sufferer’s adrenal glands to produce insufficient cortisol, which is a substance that helps the body regulate sodium and potassium levels, blood sugar, and blood pressure. In 2010, Jordan was arrested and taken to the Mobile County Metro Jail for failing to comply with a condition of his release after pleading guilty to second degree possession of marijuana and two hunting offenses. On June 25, 2010, Jordan became weak and nauseated and went to the jail’s medical unit, where he received liquids throughout the evening. The next day, Jordan reported feeling better and returned to his cell. Later that day, the medical staff at Mobile County Metro drew a sample of Jordan’s blood for testing. The test results, which were returned to Mobile County Metro on July 2, 2010, revealed that Jordan had dangerously low levels of sodium and high levels of potassium. On July 2, 2010, Jordan was transferred to the Baldwin County Corrections Center (“BCCC”) without any medical records from Mobile County Metro. The medical staff at BCCC did not learn of Jordan’s critical test results until after his death. However, Jordan’s intake report, prepared on July 2, stated that he “TAKE[S] MEDS FOR ADDISON’S DISEASE” and “HAS ADDISON’S 3 Case: 13-15702 Date Filed: 12/04/2014 Page: 4 of 27 DISEASE.” On July 7, 2010, Jordan was evaluated by a nurse, who measured his blood pressure (79/48) and heart rate (88 bpm). Jordan told a nurse that he took Prednisone and Florinef for his Addison’s disease, but the nurse could not verify his prescriptions at the pharmacies he listed. Jordan consented to release his medical records to BCCC on the same day. Around 9:00 a.m. on July 8, 2010, nurse Connie Pimperl examined Jordan at his request. Pimperl wrote in Jordan’s medical records that he had low blood pressure. Pimperl’s note reflects that Jordan told Pimperl he was feeling weak, “like [he was] going to pass out,” and that if his condition persisted, he would need to go to the hospital. Jordan stated that he did not “take meds on a reg[ular] basis as long as he [could] eat [and] drink when he needs to.” Pimperl also recorded that Jordan’s blood pressure was 90/51, his heart rate was 109 bpm, and his head was lolling from side to side. Although Jordan told Pimperl that he was dehydrated, Pimperl drew blood from Jordan easily, which she interpreted to be a sign that he was not severely dehydrated. Pimperl then called the medical director of BCCC, Dr. Charles Sherman, who stated that no bloodwork was needed. Dr. Sherman instructed Pimperl to give Jordan some Gatorade “for sodium replacement” and to administer 40 milligrams of Prednisone for three days, and thereafter, doses of 20 milligrams and then eventually 10 milligrams daily. Around 9:30 a.m., Pimperl gave Jordan a 40- 4 Case: 13-15702 Date Filed: 12/04/2014 Page: 5 of 27 milligram Prednisone pill as directed. Jordan also drank four glasses of Gatorade and returned to his cell with a gallon of Gatorade. At this time, Pimperl thought Jordan was in stable condition because his blood pressure had improved from the day before, his heart rate did not exceed 120 bpm, he “was not passing out in front of [her]”, and he had not vomited. At Pimperl’s request, another nurse on the same shift contacted Jordan’s mother to complete Jordan’s medical history. According to Jordan’s mother, Jordan had not been to a doctor in about four years and managed his Addison’s disease with diet and fluids. The nurse recorded that Jordan had not taken his medication for a “long time”; had filled his prescriptions for Florinef and Prednisone at a local Winn Dixie store; and had been treated by two local physicians.