Family of man who died inside his home is suing town of Wake Forest, police department and officer for negligence

The family of a man who died inside his home two years ago is suing the town of Wake Forest, the police department and an officer.

The lawsuit accuses the three of negligence after Jason Meyer – a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and father of four – started experiencing “diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration” on Sept. 4, 2020, inside his home on Fairview Club Drive. He was 49.

Meyer’s mother, DeAnna Meyer, called Wake Forest police to do a wellness check on her son.

The lawsuit claims Wake Forest police officer John Martin went to the home but failed to call an ambulance or 911.

The suit claims Jason Meyer was “covered in his own diarrhea and vomit.”

Also, the suit claims Martin tried to perform a second wellness check on Sept. 5, 2020, but no one answered the door. When police went back on Sept. 6, 2020, Jason Meyer had died.

The Meyer family is seeking $25,000 in damages, including for pain, suffering and medical expenses.

“We are doing this case in his memory trying to seek justice on his behalf,” Anglin said.

Raleigh-based attorney Christopher Anglin is representing DeAnna Meyer.

“The family is still devastated by this loss, trying to recover day by day, and hoping that the passage of time will help heal their loss,” Anglin said.

The suit claims Martin, who was only on the force for about five months, “was not qualified to respond to wellness checks, and not qualified to work as a police officer.”

“They had an obligation to care for someone very ill, they failed to do that, the failure to do that then caused his death,” Anglin said.

Attorney Dan Hartzog is representing the town, the police department and the officer could not comment Wednesday on pending litigation. He did confirm the officer in the lawsuit is employed by the police department.