Widow Sues, Says Jail Conditions Hastened Death of Ex-Army Major

The widow of a retired U.S. Army major claimed in a lawsuit filed Friday that his death was hastened by inhumane conditions at the Orange County Jail.

Frank R. Burns Jr., 75, was denied necessary medication when he spent two weeks in the main jail in Santa Ana for violating probation on a drunk-driving conviction, according to the lawsuit, filed in Orange County Superior Court.

Burns, who retired in 1969 after a 29-year career, died Jan. 18., 1986, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Long Beach of pneumonia and chronic pulmonary disease.

His widow, Irene A. Ayres, of La Mirada, asked for at least $500,000 in damages.

The lawsuit alleges that Burns was denied medicine and access to a supply of oxygen while he was in jail. His lawyer, Harry Lerner, said that Burns needed oxygen at night because of his respiratory ailments. Burns also was subjected to “frigid” conditions in the jail and was denied adequate clothing and bedding, according to the lawsuit.

Burns was placed in the jail Oct. 24, 1985, and was transferred to UCI Medical Center on Nov. 8. On Dec. 12, he was transferred to the VA hospital, according to Lerner.

A spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which runs the jail, said late Friday he had no information or comment on the lawsuit.