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NY Prisoner Worker Awarded $90,000 in Accident

In 1995 William Terry was a prisoner at the Lyon Mountain Correctional Facility where he worked as a hay shredding machine operator on the prison dairy farm. While operating the shredding machine without safety shields, Terry's glove became caught in the machine and severed part of his right middle finger and severely injured his index finger. An attempt to surgically reattach the severed finger was unsuccessful.

Terry filed suit in the New York state court of claims which entered a ruling in his favor. In July 1999 the court found that the prison had violated its own policies requiring that machine safety guards be properly maintained. The state was also negligent in failing to properly train Terry in the safe operation of the shredding machine. The court found no negligence on Terry's part.

The court awarded Terry $65,000 for past pain and suffering and $25,000 for future pain and suffering. See: Terry v. State of New York, Claim Number 95211, court of claims, Platsburgh, New York. Judge John Bell.

Source: New York Jury Verdict Reporter

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Related legal case

Terry v. State of New York