Doug Martin Family Sues Oakland Police, Ambulance Company Over Restraint Death During Mental Health Crisis

The parents of former NFL running back Doug Martin have filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Oakland, the Oakland Police Department and ambulance company Falck Northern California, alleging that physical restraint by officers and delayed medical care caused their 36-year-old son's death during a mental health crisis. Leslie and Douglas Martin filed the suit Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Allegations of Restraint Asphyxia

The suit alleges Martin died from restraint asphyxia, which the plaintiffs attribute to actions taken by Oakland police officers and Falck Northern California paramedics. According to the complaint, officers placed Martin face down with one or more officers pressing on his back. When officers turned him on his side, he was unresponsive — a condition they reportedly interpreted as Martin sleeping or feigning sleep.

The lawsuit further alleges at least one officer called for medical assistance while Martin remained unresponsive. Falck Northern California paramedics arrived approximately 15 minutes after that call, the suit states, and upon arrival did not promptly provide medical care. Martin was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

How the Crisis Unfolded

Leslie Martin called paramedics on Oct. 18 after her son began experiencing a mental health crisis. Martin left the home and hid in a neighbor's house two doors away. Oakland police located him in the basement of that residence, according to the complaint.

Family attorney John Burris said the family's central question is straightforward. He characterized Martin's mother as calling for help, not a lethal intervention. Burris told The Athletic that when someone calls for help, the response should not result in death.

CTE Testing and Damages Sought

An independent pathologist, unnamed in the suit, told Martin's parents that restraint asphyxia may have been the cause of death, according to Burris. Separately, Leslie Martin sent her son's brain to the Boston University CTE Center to determine whether he had developed chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Burris noted a CTE finding would not affect the legal cause-of-death determination, but the family wants a fuller picture of Martin's brain health.

The family is seeking damages for wrongful death, hospital and medical expenses, coroner's fees, funeral and burial costs, and loss of familial support. The Oakland Police Department declined comment, citing policy on pending litigation. Oakland's city attorney and Falck Northern California did not respond.

Martin's NFL Career

Martin, an Oakland native, was a first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2012 NFL Draft and spent six seasons in Tampa Bay before finishing his career with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2018. He accumulated more than 5,300 rushing yards and earned two Pro Bowl selections. Martin received a four-game suspension in 2016 for violating the league's substance-abuse policy after testing positive for Adderall; he subsequently entered a treatment program. He played college football at Boise State.