The Plaintiff, Mark Eugene Deffendall, has filed a civil-rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against seven Defendants employed by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. While incarcerated at the Indian River County Jail, Deffendall alleges that four correctional officers violated his Eighth Amendment rights when they knowingly failed to protect him from a “violent inmate” who had previously threatened him. Deffendall also claims that, after he sustained significant injuries in the attack—which required oral surgery—three other jail employees were deliberately indifferent to his medical needs by failing to treat him in accordance with his oral surgeon’s post-operation instructions. Deffendall still suffers from facial spasms and PTSD and is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from the Defendants. Discovery in this case has begun and trial is set for October 16, 2023. If interested, please email FLSD_ProBono@flsd.uscourts.gov