Jailed man dies after guards ignore severe food allergy

Prison video shows the final moments of a young man who died after guards allegedly ignored his severe food allergy and then refused his pleas for medical help.

Washington man Michael Saffioti, 22, who suffered from extreme dairy allergies, died after jail guards incorrectly told him his breakfast oatmeal was safe for him to eat and then refused his request for medical help, reports KIROTV.com.

Saffioti was in Snohomish County Jail after turning himself in for misdemeanor marijuana possession.

His mother Rose is suing the country for $US10 million, saying Saffioti had been an inmate at the jail before, and that guards knew of his food allergies. His mother says Saffioti was diligent about protecting himself from dairy, and as a teen even worried his first kiss would trigger a reaction.

The video footage shows Saffioti discussing his food with the guard as he sat at the breakfast table. After talking to the guard, food servers and other inmates, he took a few bites. Minutes later, he is seen asking the guard for his inhaler.

The lawsuit says Saffioti asked guards for a nurse, but they sent him to his cell instead. The video shows worried inmates checking in on him as he jumped up and down, his condition rapidly deteriorating. Saffioti pressed the call button in his cell, again requesting medical help, but it was ignored, the lawsuit says.

Just half an hour after he ate breakfast, Saffioti was found unconscious in his cell by a guard. Nurses and firefightersrushed to his aid, with video showing emergency workers frantically giving him CPR and working to save his life.

Saffioti was then rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“We know that he asked questions and made inquiries and he was assured the oatmeal in the food was safe for eating,” said attorney Cheryl Snow, who is representing his mother, told KIROTV.com.

“This video shows Michael clearly made his needs apparent, that his needs were ignored. Once he suffered distress he was further ignored,” said Snow.

This article originally appeared on News.com.au