Bend, OR — The state of Oregon has agreed to pay $3.5 million to the family of Dominic Genise, a prisoner who died in 2019 at the Oregon State Penitentiary after his heart attack symptoms went untreated, according to court records. The settlement, which was reached earlier this year, marks the largest payout in the history of the Oregon Department of Corrections.
Dominic Genise, 46, was serving a prison sentence at the time of his death. In the months leading up to his fatal heart attack, Genise reportedly exhibited signs of serious health distress, including chest pains, but medical staff at the facility failed to provide timely care. According to a lawsuit filed by his family, despite his visible symptoms, Genise was not given immediate medical attention. He collapsed and died in his cell on January 23, 2019.
Court documents reveal that the Oregon State Penitentiary medical staff did not recognize the seriousness of his condition, and he was not transported to a hospital until it was too late. The lawsuit alleged that the failure to properly diagnose and treat Genise’s symptoms violated his constitutional rights to adequate medical care under the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.
The settlement agreement, finalized earlier this year, was described as a step toward holding the Oregon Department of Corrections accountable for its oversight of inmate healthcare. It is the largest such settlement to date for the agency, reflecting the severity of the allegations and the emotional toll on Genise’s family.
This case is not the first instance of alleged inadequate healthcare within Oregon’s correctional facilities. Over the years, reports and lawsuits have highlighted chronic issues with medical services in the state’s prisons, from delayed treatments to understaffed medical teams. Advocacy groups have long argued that many incarcerated individuals do not receive the level of care they are entitled to, leading to preventable deaths and suffering.
Genise’s family, led by his mother, Jacqueline Genise, expressed relief that the case had reached a resolution but emphasized that no amount of money could replace the loss of a loved one. “Dominic was a son, a brother, and a friend. No one should have to die alone in a prison cell because their pain wasn’t taken seriously,” Jacqueline Genise said in a statement following the settlement.
The Oregon Department of Corrections, while not admitting fault, expressed regret over the tragic loss of Genise. In a statement, the agency acknowledged the need for improvements in its healthcare system and vowed to work on enhancing medical services within its facilities. “The health and safety of individuals in our care is our priority, and we are committed to doing everything possible to prevent such incidents from happening in the future,” the statement read.
However, critics argue that the settlement is just one piece of a much larger issue that requires systemic reform. “This case highlights the grave dangers of inadequate healthcare in prisons,” said Sarah McGee, a prison reform advocate. “It’s a reminder that the state must address the broader issue of medical neglect in its correctional facilities. No one should die due to a preventable medical emergency, whether they’re incarcerated or not.”
As part of the settlement, the state has agreed to implement certain reforms aimed at improving healthcare standards within its correctional system. However, it remains to be seen whether these changes will be sufficient to address the widespread concerns about medical care for inmates.
The $3.5 million settlement could set a significant legal precedent for future cases involving inmate deaths due to inadequate medical care. Legal experts suggest that the size of the settlement may inspire other families to pursue similar legal action if they believe their loved ones suffered preventable deaths in custody.
“While this is a tragic case, it may help bring attention to the ongoing problem of inadequate medical care in U.S. prisons,” said Mark Daniels, a civil rights attorney. “The more cases that are brought to light and result in significant settlements, the more pressure will be placed on correctional facilities to improve conditions and healthcare for those incarcerated.”
As Oregon moves forward, the legacy of Dominic Genise’s death will likely continue to resonate, particularly for families who believe that the system has failed their loved ones. For now, the $3.5 million settlement serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of neglect within the prison healthcare system — and the continued fight for justice and reform.
