SAN DIEGO — The family of a man who died in a San Diego County jail more than 10 years ago has been awarded almost $2 million from a federal jury that blamed the Sheriff's Department's jail nursing staff for failing to prevent the fatal drug overdose.

Ronnie Sandoval was sweating profusely throughout his hourslong booking process, but the jail medical workers did not properly respond to his condition, a San Diego federal jury found in a verdict issued late last week.

The $1.8 million award is the latest setback for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and Sheriff's Department, which has struggled to protect people in its custody.

It also adds to the more than $60 million already awarded in legal settlements and damage awards against the Sheriff's Department in the past five-plus years. That money comes out of the general fund, which is usually spent on roads, libraries and other basic government services.

More than 150 people have died in San Diego County jails since Sandoval died within hours of his arrest in February 2014. The county jail system has long had one of the highest mortality rates in California, and outside experts have repeatedly suggested better training and stricter practices to protect people in custody.

The county and its Sheriff's Department still face a slew of pending lawsuits filed by family members of people who died in jail.

Attorney Danielle Pena represented Anna Sandoval, the deceased man's widow. She said jail nurses should have done more to treat her husband after he exhibited serious symptoms during the booking process.

"It has been a battle and a journey for this family, but ultimately we appreciate that the jury was able to see the facts and establish that Mr. Sandoval deserved better medical care," Pena said in a phone interview.

"We can only hope that a verdict like this sends a strong signal to the county that it needs to prioritize the health and safety of its inmates," she said.

The Sheriff's Department did not respond to questions about the latest jury award.

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