Key facts
- Parents of former NFL player Doug Martin have filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
- The suit alleges excessive police force and delayed medical care led to his death.
- Officers allegedly restrained Martin face down during a mental health crisis.
- An ambulance company is also accused of delayed response and care.
- Autopsy results are pending additional testing.
The parents of former NFL running back Doug Martin have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Oakland, several police officers, and an ambulance company, alleging that excessive police force and delayed medical care led to their son's death last year. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, states that Martin, 36, was experiencing a mental health crisis in October when responding Oakland police officers physically restrained him face down, with one or more officers pressing on his back. The plaintiffs claim this restraint was a substantial factor in his death.
According to the lawsuit, officers found Martin hiding in a neighbor's home and restrained him after a brief struggle. He was later turned onto his side and was unresponsive, with officers initially believing he was sleeping or pretending. Medical assistance was reportedly only requested after he remained unresponsive. The suit also accuses Falck USA, Inc. and its subsidiary Falck Northern California Corp.'s paramedics of taking over 15 minutes to respond to the call and not promptly providing medical care upon arrival.
Doug Martin, best known for his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft and was selected as one of the top 50 players in franchise history. The Alameda County Coroner’s Office stated that autopsy results are still pending after the family requested extra testing. The Oakland Police Department declined to comment on the pending litigation, referring inquiries to the city attorney's office, and noted that the investigation into Martin's death is ongoing.