A Beaver County woman today filed a federal lawsuit against Lawrence County and the company that provides medical services at the jail there claiming that negligence led to her son's death.

Brenda S. Hamilton of New Galilee filed the wrongful death action on behalf of her son, Matthew A. Hamilton, who died on Sept. 25, 2006.

According to the lawsuit, Mr. Hamilton was picked up by New Castle police on a bench warrant on Sept. 13, 2006. After he was taken to the jail, PrimeCare Medical Inc., which provides medical services there, began treating Mr. Hamilton for detoxification. He was prescribed two medications, Vistaril and Bentyl, which the lawsuit contends have side effects that include dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, lightheadedness, fainting and weakness.

Because of the potential side effects, Mr. Hamilton was to be restricted to the bottom bunk in his jail cell. However, according to the lawsuit, the jail allowed Mr. Hamilton to walk up and down steps to get to the area where medicine is distributed.

Ms. Hamilton claims in her lawsuit that at about 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2006, her son walked up the steps, then turned around and started walking toward them again.

He then leaned against the handrail -- described as being 36 to 41 inches high -- and fell backward over it, landing on the concrete floor 11 to 12 feet below.

According to the complaint, Mr. Hamilton suffered severe head injuries and was in a coma until he died on Sept. 25.