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Both Thumbs, One Finger Amputated Nets Prisoner $25,000

A New York prisoner whose thumbs and left ring finger were amputated was awarded $25,000.

Mr. Saleh, a 31-year-old New York prisoner, was a carpentry student. While operating a circular saw, making name plates, he suffered "a traumatic amputation of the distal phalange of both thumbs, laceration of the distal phalangeal crease and volar aspect of the left ring finger with a 25% loss of use of each hand." The saw he was operating did not have a basket guard, splitter or anti-kickback device. The necessary safety devices were on order at the time of the accident.

Saleh sued in state court. In December, 1986, the court concluded prison officials negligently failed to have the safety devices in place, and in enforcing their own rules on the saw's use. Saleh was awarded $50,000, but the award was reduced to $25,000 because Saleh was found to be 50 percent negligent. Saleh was represented by Faith A. Seuidenberg of Syracuse, New York. See: Saleh v. New York, NY Ct. Cl. Case No. 71515.

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Related legal case

Saleh v. New York