Nathaniel Appleby-El, an inmate at a Western Maryland prison, faced a terrifying ordeal as he gradually lost vision in his right eye. It began with symptoms of itchiness, redness, and irritation in late May 2016, culminating in a sudden loss of vision. Despite his pleas to prison medical staff at the North Branch Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Appleby-El’s concerns were not promptly addressed.
It wasn’t until March 2017, almost a year later, that Appleby-El saw an ophthalmologist. The diagnosis was grim: a complete retinal detachment in his right eye and a retinal tear in his left. Despite seeking a second opinion, the diagnosis remained unchanged. In August 2017, Appleby-El finally underwent laser surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, regaining only 50% to 60% of his vision.
However, the ordeal didn’t end there. Post-surgery care was lacking, and Appleby-El’s right eye suffered critical pressure buildup, leading to permanent blindness. Now, after enduring a harrowing journey of neglect, Appleby-El is set to receive a $200,000 settlement payment, with the majority being paid by Wexford Health Sources, a former medical contractor for state prisons.
State Treasurer Dereck Davis emphasized the inadequacy of the settlement, stating that no amount of compensation could fully address Appleby-El’s loss of eyesight. Davis, along with fellow board members Gov. Wes Moore and Comptroller Brooke Lierman, approved the state’s $15,000 portion of the settlement.
Davis criticized Wexford Health Sources for failing to meet the standard of care expected in such cases. Despite the pending settlement, Appleby-El’s attorneys declined to comment.
This settlement comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of Maryland’s prison healthcare provider, YesCare. While the state deliberates over alternatives, YesCare faces continued legal challenges and allegations of malpractice. Wexford, the defendant in Appleby-El’s lawsuit, is a potential bidder for the next contract, although the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services has provided no updates on the selection process.
In his handwritten lawsuit filed in 2019, Appleby-El condemned the culture of neglect within Maryland’s correctional facilities, where medical complaints are often dismissed unless accompanied by visible injury. His experience underscores broader concerns about the quality of healthcare provided to inmates in Maryland prisons.
Since Appleby-El’s case, the state has transitioned through two more medical providers, including Corizon Health, which later divided into YesCare and Tehum Care Services. The latter’s controversial bankruptcy has drawn scrutiny from federal authorities and raised questions about the state’s oversight of its prison healthcare system.
