Doug Martin’s parents allege excessive force by police in wrongful death lawsuit

Former NFL running back Doug Martin died after an excessive use of force by police and delayed medical care, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Martin’s parents on Tuesday, June 23.

The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court and has been obtained by USA TODAY Sports, names the city of Oakland, California, multiple police officers and an ambulance company as defendants.

According to the lawsuit, Martin’s mother, Leslie, called paramedics when she realized her son was experiencing a mental health crisis. Martin “then fled and hid in a neighbor’s house two doors away,” where Oakland police found him, the lawsuit says. There, responding officers held Martin “face down while one or more officers pressed on his back” before turning him onto his side, where he was “unresponsive seemingly unconscious,” according to the lawsuit.

“Oakland Police Department Officers used excessive force … and that force was a substantial factor in causing decedent Martin’s death,” the lawsuit says.

The wrongful death lawsuit alleges the police officers did not call for medical attention until Martin remained unresponsive, since they “believed he was sleeping or pretending to be asleep.” When they did call for medical assistance, paramedics from Falck, the ambulance company, arrived more than 15 minutes later and “did not promptly provide medical care,” the lawsuit says.

DOUG MARTIN: Former NFL RB’s family was ‘actively seeking medical assistance’ for him prior to death

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Highlights from Doug Martin’s NFL running back career

Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to stiff arm Brian Poole of the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on Sept. 11, 2016 in Atlanta.

(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin seen on Dec. 17, 2015 in St. Louis, Mo.

(Aaron Doster, Imagn images)

Running back Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 9, 2012 in Tampa, Fla.

(J. Meric, Getty Images)

Running back Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is tackled by free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix of the Green Bay Packers and inside linebacker Sam Barrington of the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 21, 2014 in Tampa, Fla.

(Cliff McBride, Getty Images)

Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates his first down in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 22, 2015 in Philadelphia.

(Elsa, Getty Images)

Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers goes down after a hit from Rodney McLeod of the St. Louis Rams in the second quarter at the Edward Jones Dome on Dec. 17, 2015 in St. Louis, Mo.

(Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images)

Running back Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rushes the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Oct. 15, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz.

(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Running back Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates in the end zone following a 1-yard rush for a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Oct. 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

(Brian Blanco, Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin runs against the New York Jets at Raymond James Stadium on Nov. 12, 2017, Tampa, Fla.

(Aaron Doster, Imagn images)

Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with teammates after rushing for a one-yard touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter of the game against at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 11, 2016 in Tampa, Fla.

(Joe Robbins, Getty Images)

Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas.

(Tom Pennington, Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin runs past New Orleans Saints free safety Pierre Warren during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 28, 2014, Tampa, Fla.

(Kim Klement, Imagn images)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin runs up field against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 9, 2012 in Tampa, Fla.

(Matt Stamey, Imagn images)

Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin runs against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Mo.

(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn images)

Boise State Broncos running back Doug Martin runs with the ball during the first half of action against the New Mexico Lobos at Bronco Stadium on Dec, 3, 2011.

(Brian Losness, Imagn images)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin looks on from the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 18, 2017 in Tampa, Fla.

(Kim Klement, Imagn images)

Martin was 36 when he died in October 2025. At the time, his parents said in a statement via Athletes First they “were actively seeking medical assistance for [Martin] and had contacted local authorities for support.” Martin died in Oakland police custody after the department said the former running back “was involved in a break-in at a residence.”

“While responding officers were attempting to detain him, a brief struggle occurred,” a spokesperson for the Oakland Police Department said in October.

The Oakland Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. USA TODAY Sports also left a message for Falck requesting comment.

The Associated Press reported that the Alameda County Coroner’s Office “was still awaiting autopsy results after extra testing was requested by Martin’s family.” USA TODAY Sports has reached out to the Alameda County Coroner’s Office for confirmation.