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$59,177 in Damages and Fees Awarded in Georgia Braille Suit
On April 15, 1999, a federal district court in Georgia issued a directed verdict awarding a blind Georgia state prisoner $2,000 in damages. Eddy Stephens, a blind prisoner, was denied access to braile books and writing instruments. He was also not allowed to take prison vocational courses due to his disability.
Stephens filed suit claiming that these denials violated his rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The case went to trial and the court granted a directed verdict in favor of Stephens on the denial of vocational courses and braille books. The court awarded Stephens $2,000 in damages and $57,177 in attorney fees and costs. The jury ruled in favor of the defendant prison officials on the denial of the braille writing instruments. The defendants have appealed the verdict to the Eleventh circuit. See: Stephens v. Ault, US DC GA, Case No. 194-CV-2328-GET.
Source: Georgia Trial Reporter
Stephens filed suit claiming that these denials violated his rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The case went to trial and the court granted a directed verdict in favor of Stephens on the denial of vocational courses and braille books. The court awarded Stephens $2,000 in damages and $57,177 in attorney fees and costs. The jury ruled in favor of the defendant prison officials on the denial of the braille writing instruments. The defendants have appealed the verdict to the Eleventh circuit. See: Stephens v. Ault, US DC GA, Case No. 194-CV-2328-GET.
Source: Georgia Trial Reporter
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Related legal case
Stephens v. Ault
| Year | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Cite | US DC GA Case No. 194-CV-2328-GET |
| Level | Court of Appeals |
| Conclusion | Bench Verdict |
| Attorney Fees | 57177 |
| Damages | 2000 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |