18/12/2025
Medical staff told woman to 'drink water' while she was having fatal allergic reaction to antibiotic they gave her 7 times: Lawsuit
Raisbeck was undergoing drug rehabilitation and had clearly stated her penicillin allergy, a fact documented in her medical records. However, medical staff prescribed and administered cephalexin (Keflex) – a penicillin-group antibiotic – a total of seven times.
After multiple doses, Raisbeck experienced severe vomiting, a drop in blood pressure, a heart rate exceeding 120, and warning signs of anaphylactic shock, but she was not transferred to emergency care. When she convulsed and was unable to retain fluids, a nurse allegedly only said, "Drink some water."
On the morning of December 16, 2023, Raisbeck was found unconscious, with no pulse and blood pressure at a life-threatening level. Despite this, she was left alone in her cell for nearly an hour and continued to receive a seventh dose of the antibiotic. Medical staff then administered multiple doses of Narcan, even though there were no signs of opioid overdose.
Raisbeck was rushed to the hospital but died at 12:07 p.m. that same day. An autopsy revealed severe dehydration, shock, electrolyte imbalance, and no evidence of fentanyl overdose.
The incident is causing outrage, with the family alleging the prison medical system ignored a documented allergy, leading to a preventable death.