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$39,000 Awarded in Florida Jail Prisoner's Slip and Fall
While held at Florida's St. Lucie County Jail in 1994, the female prisoner slipped and fell upon
stepping out of the shower in her cell, causing a herniated disc at C5-6. She alleged the jail failed to
provide footwear designed for the shower area.
After she filed suit the Sheriff countersued to obtain costs of the prisoner's incarceration,
which resulted in a civil lien of $50 for each day or $6,000. A jury trial occurred in October 1997.
The jury awarded the prisoner $20,000 future medical costs and $19,376 in other damages, or
$39,976, but found the prisoner 70% comparative negligent. The case settled for $3,000. See:
Weatherford v. St. Lucie County Sheriffs Dept. Fla. 19th Judicial Circuit. Case No 95:1508.
stepping out of the shower in her cell, causing a herniated disc at C5-6. She alleged the jail failed to
provide footwear designed for the shower area.
After she filed suit the Sheriff countersued to obtain costs of the prisoner's incarceration,
which resulted in a civil lien of $50 for each day or $6,000. A jury trial occurred in October 1997.
The jury awarded the prisoner $20,000 future medical costs and $19,376 in other damages, or
$39,976, but found the prisoner 70% comparative negligent. The case settled for $3,000. See:
Weatherford v. St. Lucie County Sheriffs Dept. Fla. 19th Judicial Circuit. Case No 95:1508.
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Related legal case
Weatherford v. St. Lucie County Sheriffs Dept.
| Year | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Fla. 19th Judicial Circuit. Case No 95:1508 |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Jury Verdict |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 39000 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |