Former inmate testifies Hillsborough jail ignored medical crisis

TAMPA — A former Hillsborough County inmate told a jury Tuesday that jail staff refused to treat her medical condition five years ago and left her bleeding for more than 12 hours.

Karen Ramsey, 50, sued Hills­borough County Sheriff David Gee and Prison Health Services for compensatory damages. The company, which provided inmate medical care at the time, has since settled out of court for an undisclosed sum, her attorney said.

Ramsey had been arrested on felony prostitution charges and landed in the Hillsborough County Jail on Nov. 1, 2004.

On Nov. 28, at the jail, she noticed atypically heavy vaginal bleeding and clotting. "It was the worst amount of blood I had ever seen," Ramsey testified Tuesday.

The incident caused a disruption at the jail, she said. But instead of getting her care, the staff put Ramsey into isolation for causing a disruption, said her attorney, Mike Trentalange.

The next afternoon, a jail nurse examined her and sent her to Tampa General Hospital, she said.

There, Ramsey was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Doctors removed a 2-inch mass and performed a hysterectomy, she said.

Trentalange said Ramsey suffered from post traumatic stress disorder as a result of being denied immediate medical attention.

Ramsey has been arrested about 30 times on charges that include prostitution, cocaine possession, forgery and fraud, Florida Department of Law Enforcement records show.

Defense attorney Thea Clark, who represents Sheriff Gee, said she will make no comment on the case until the trial is over.

Times researcher John Martin contributed to this report. Shelley Rossetter can be reached at (813) 226-3374 or srossetter@sptimes.com.