Doug Martin’s parents sue Oakland over former NFL star’s death in custody

The family of former NFL player Doug Martin has filed a lawsuit against the city of Oakland, its police department and an ambulance company, claiming their actions contributed to the circumstances surrounding his death.

In the lawsuit, the late NFL star’s parents alleged that police played a role in the 36-year-old’s death and that paramedics failed to respond quickly enough to calls for medical care. Martin’s parents, Leslie and Douglas, filed the lawsuit Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

The lawsuit states that the plaintiffs believe Martin died of restraint asphyxia, which they claim “caused the failure of Oakland police officers and FALCK NORCAL paramedics to provide timely medical care.” He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

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Leslie called paramedics on October 18 after her son had a mental health crisis. Martin then ran away and hid in a neighbor’s house two doors away, according to the lawsuit; The Oakland Police Department found him in the basement.

According to the lawsuit, Leslie called paramedics on Oct. 18 after her son began experiencing a mental health crisis. Martin then left home and hid in a neighbor’s house. Oakland police later found him in the basement. Additionally, the lawsuit states that law enforcement physically restrained Martin and placed him face down while “one or more officers applied pressure to his back.” When officers turned Martin onto his side, he was unresponsive; At that point, the lawsuit alleges, officers thought he was “sleeping or pretending to be asleep.”

DETAILS ARE EMERGING IN THE DEATH OF FORMER NFL STAR DOUG MARTIN

The lawsuit also alleges that law enforcement officers restrained Martin, “placed him face down while one or more officers applied pressure to his back,” and later found him unresponsive after turning him on his side. Officers believed Martin was “sleeping or pretending to be asleep,” the lawsuit said. It is also alleged that at least one officer requested medical attention while Martin was still unresponsive.

The Martin family claimed the response wasn’t quick enough, claiming Falck Northern California paramedics arrived about 15 minutes after the call for service was made, according to the lawsuit. “They did not provide immediate medical care when they arrived,” according to the lawsuit.

Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin is attacked by Los Angeles Chargers safety Jahleel Addae during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

“They just want to know what happened,” said John Burris, an attorney representing the family. Athletic. “We have a situation where the mother is seeking help. The mother was emotionally out of the situation, and the mother was seeking help.”

FORMER NFL STAR DOUG MARTIN WAS WORKING WITH ‘MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES’ BEFORE HIS DEATH

“When you call for help and the police arrive, it’s not a death sentence. You don’t expect the person to die.” Burris continued. He added that an unnamed independent pathologist told Martin’s parents that the cause of their son’s death may have been restraint asphyxia.

Martin’s parents are seeking damages including wrongful death, hospital and medical expenses, coroner’s fees, funeral and burial expenses, loss of support and family relationships, among others.

Burris said Martin’s mother sent her son’s brain to Boston, where the Boston University CTE Center is located, to find out whether he had developed chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a disease that can only be diagnosed after death. While the pathologist told Burris that the CTE finding “doesn’t really have any consequences as it relates to the cause of death,” Burris said the family was seeking a clearer picture of Martin’s brain health.

An Oakland Police patrol car is parked outside Oakland Police headquarters in Oakland, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Oakland Police Department has a policy of not commenting publicly on pending cases. Fox News Digital was referred to the Oakland city attorney’s office, which had no comment on the case. Falck Northern California representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.

Martin, an Oakland native, ended his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders in 2018. Before that, he spent six seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who selected him in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

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He was suspended for four games in 2016 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. After testing positive for Adderall, Martin announced plans to enter a treatment program.

Martin finished his NFL run with more than 5,300 rushing yards and was named to two Pro Bowl teams. He played college football at Boise State.

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