The parents of former NFL running back Doug Martin have initiated legal action against the city of Oakland, its police department, and a private ambulance service, claiming their actions led to the 36-year-old athlete’s death during a mental health emergency in October. Leslie and Douglas Martin filed the lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging their son died from restraint asphyxia caused by law enforcement officers and delayed medical response from FALCK NORCAL paramedics. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Mental health crisis turned fatal during police intervention
According to the lawsuit, Leslie Martin called paramedics on October 18 after her son began experiencing a mental health crisis at their home. Doug Martin subsequently fled the residence and hid in a neighbor’s house located two doors away. Oakland Police Department officers located him in the basement of the neighboring property, where the encounter escalated.
The legal filing alleges that law enforcement physically restrained Martin and placed him face down while one or more officers applied pressure to his back. When officers repositioned him onto his side, Martin had become unresponsive. The suit claims officers believed he was “sleeping or pretending to be asleep” rather than recognizing a medical emergency. At least one officer requested medical assistance while Martin remained unconscious, but the family contends the response came too late.
Delayed paramedic response and lack of immediate care alleged
The Martin family’s lawsuit specifically targets FALCK Northern California for what they describe as an inadequate emergency response. The suit alleges paramedics arrived approximately 15 minutes after the call for medical service was made. Furthermore, when they did arrive on scene, the complaint states they “did not promptly provide medical care” to the unresponsive former athlete.
John Burris, the attorney representing the Martin family, emphasized the tragedy of a situation where help was summoned but resulted in death. He told reporters that the family simply wants answers about what transpired. An independent pathologist, whose name was not disclosed, informed Martin’s parents that restraint asphyxia may have been the cause of their son’s death, according to Burris.
Former Pro Bowl player’s NFL career and substance abuse history
Doug Martin, an Oakland native, concluded his professional football career with the Oakland Raiders in 2018. He spent six seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. During his career, Martin accumulated more than 5,300 rushing yards and earned two Pro Bowl selections. He played college football at Boise State before entering the professional ranks.
In 2016, Martin received a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. After testing positive for Adderall, Martin publicly announced plans to enter a treatment program. The substance abuse issues and mental health challenges appear to have continued following his retirement from professional football.
Brain donation to CTE research center seeks answers
In an effort to better understand her son’s condition, Leslie Martin sent Doug Martin’s brain to the Boston University CTE Center. The family seeks to determine whether he developed chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease that can only be diagnosed after death and has been linked to repeated head trauma in contact sports.
While Burris noted that the pathologist indicated a CTE finding would have “no consequence as it relates to the cause of death,” the family remains committed to obtaining a comprehensive picture of Martin’s brain health. The research may provide insight into the mental health challenges he faced in his final years.
Damages sought include wrongful death and related expenses
The lawsuit seeks various forms of compensation from the defendants. The specific damages requested include:
- Wrongful death compensation
- Hospital and medical expenses
- Coroner’s fees
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of support and familial relationship
The Oakland Police Department maintains a policy of not publicly commenting on pending litigation. Representatives from the Oakland city attorney’s office declined to offer comment on the case when contacted. Officials from FALCK Northern California could not immediately be reached for comment regarding the allegations.
Burris emphasized that when families call for help during mental health emergencies, they expect intervention and support, not fatal outcomes. The case raises broader questions about police response protocols during mental health crises and the coordination between law enforcement and emergency medical services. Martin’s death occurred in a home two doors from where his mother first called for assistance, underscoring the rapid deterioration of the situation once police became involved.
