Skip navigation

Articles in Verdict1

BOP Agrees to Pay $30,000 to Prisoner Assaulted by Guards

On July 14, 2009, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by a prisoner who was beaten by guards.

On or about April 11, 2006, while being escorted to the Special Housing Unit (SHU) for allegedly assaulting a BOP employee, Kenneth Howard was tripped and ...

$60,000 Settlement in New York Jail Captain’s Assault on Prisoner

The City of New York paid $60,000 to settle a prisoner’s civil rights action. The case was succinctly defined as an incident where New York Department of Corrections (NY DOC) Captain Reginald Patterson not only “gratuitously punched an inmate, but also … generated an elaborate ruse to cover it up.” ...

Sacramento County Agrees to Pay $7,500 after Prisoner Fell from Bunk

On August 30, 2005, the County of Sacramento agreed to pay $7,500 to a prisoner who fell from his bunk while at the Sacramento County Main Jail (SCMJ). The prisoner claimed deliberate indifference to his safety.

Peter Heines fell from his bunk head first, breaking his right foot and spraining ...

Sacramento County Agrees to Pay $100,000 to Settle Inadequate Medical Care Suit

On July 12, 2007, Sacramento County agreed to pay $100,000 to settle a suit that alleged Sacramento County Main Jail (SCMJ) staff provided deliberately indifferent medical care.

Ricky Kirk cut his hand during a domestic dispute at his home. Kirk was arrested and taken to the SCMJ. Initially, medical staff ...

Sacramento County Agrees to Pay $500 to Settle Slip and Fall Suit

On October 12, 2006, the County of Sacramento agreed to pay $500 to a prisoner who alleged that he slipped and fell twice in a shower at the Sacramento Main Jail (SMJ) due to deliberated indifference by jail officials.

David Slaughter slipped and fell twice in the shower at SMJ. ...

Arizona State Jury Awards $275,000 for Negligent Medical Care

An Arizona State Jury awarded $275,000 in a lawsuit claiming negligence in medical care.

While housed in a tent at Maricopa County Jail in December 2001, prisoner “Talbow,” a 63-year-old male with diabetes, suffered a diabetic episode. Talbow’s complaint alleged the jail failed to properly hire, train and supervise its ...

Pierce County, Washington Pays $6,250 Settlement for Negligence of Dental Care

Washington State’s Pierce County paid $6,250 to settle a prisoner’s claim for neglectful dental care.

Steven Michaelson was a prisoner in the Pierce County Jail when he lost a filling in a molar. He filed a “kite” on September 10, 2004, to see the dentist. When he saw the dentist ...

$100,000 Settlement for City of New York Police Unit’s Excessive Force against Homeless Man Seeking Work

The City of New York paid $100,000 to settle a lawsuit for the violation of civil rights, false arrest and excessive force against two men by police officers.

On October 27, 2006, Kojak Carter and Jonas Belizaire were in front of the Wards Island Help Supportive Employment Center, when the ...

Plaintiff Wins $460,000 in Excessive Force Case

In an amended complaint filed July 21, 2008, New York Resident Rafael Weizmann filed suit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 and 1988 against Suffolk County, New York, Suffolk County Police Department, Saint Charles Hospital and a number of police officers and medical personnel. The suit alleged excessive force was ...

Washington DOC Pays $35,000 in Discrimination Suit

In a stipulated judgment filed September 16, 2008, Amy Howard was awarded $35,000 for damages and attorney fees and costs for alleged sexual harassment and racial discrimination. Ms. Howard's attorney, W. Michael Hanbey, PS, of Olympia, originally sought $280,000 for damages inflicted upon his client by the hostile work environment ...