A wrongful death lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court says former All-Pro running back Doug Martin died last year because Oakland police used excessive force during his detention and because medical treatment was delayed. The suit names the city of Oakland, several police officers, and ambulance provider Falck USA, Inc. along with its subsidiary, Falck Northern California Corp.
Martin’s parents, Leslie and Douglas Martin, allege their son was in the midst of a mental health crisis in October when officers responding to the scene pinned him “face down while one or more officers pressed on his back.” According to the complaint, that method of restraint was a “substantial factor” in causing his death.
The lawsuit says Leslie Martin had called paramedics for assistance before officers located Doug Martin inside a neighbor’s home in Oakland’s hills. After what the complaint describes as a brief struggle, officers allegedly forced him into a prone position. The suit says he was eventually rolled onto his side but by then was unresponsive. It further claims officers at first believed he was “sleeping or pretending to be” and did not request medical help until he failed to respond.
The complaint also accuses Falck’s paramedics of taking more than 15 minutes to reach the call and then failing to provide prompt treatment once they arrived. The family’s attorneys say the lawsuit is based in part on the initial findings of an independent autopsy commissioned by the family. Messages seeking comment were left for Falck.
Police had said at the time of Martin’s death that he was involved in a break-in and that a “brief struggle” occurred while officers were attempting to detain him before he became unresponsive. In earlier statements, Oakland police said Martin was taken to a hospital by paramedics and died there. The department has said the case remains under investigation.
In March, Oakland police released selected video clips from the encounter, including snippets of 911 calls and doorbell-camera footage, but not the full unedited body-camera recordings. The lawsuit says the family believes the city and police agencies have not been fully forthcoming about what happened.
The Alameda County Coroner’s Office has said its autopsy findings remain pending, in part because Martin’s family requested additional testing. A message seeking comment was also left with the family’s attorney, John Burris.
Martin was 36. A native of Oakland, he later lived in Stockton, where he played high school football. Last August, he was named one of the top 50 players in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history during the team’s 50th anniversary celebration.
He entered the NFL as the 31st overall selection in the first round of the 2012 draft after starring at Boise State. In his rookie season with Tampa Bay, he ran for 1,454 yards and scored 11 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection. He was again chosen for the Pro Bowl in 2015 and was also named first-team All-Pro that season.