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California: County Prisoner Injured Knee In Fall, Awarded $96,000
On June 5, 1995, a jury in San Francisco County, California, awarded
$96,000 to a prisoner who injured his knee in a job related fall.
Plaintiff Nelson A. Portillo, 29, was serving a jail sentence at the San
Francisco County Jail in San Bruno. A trustee, Portillo was helping to
build a guard tower at the jail on October 2, 1992, when the tower
collapsed causing him to fall 15 feet to the ground. Orthopedist Jon A.
Dickinson, M.D., testified via videotape that Portillo required surgery for
a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.
The defendants argued that Portillo had recovered well and did not require
future medical care.
According to Portillo's attorney, the judge ruled that Portillo's illegal
status in the U.S. and his three previous convictions for drug sale and
possession were irrelevant. The jury found in Portillo's favor and awarded
him $96,000 in damages ($11,000 economic, $85,000 noneconomic).
Portillo was represented by Edwin Train Caldwell of San Francisco. See:
Portillo v. City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco County Superior
Court, Case No. 952-850.
$96,000 to a prisoner who injured his knee in a job related fall.
Plaintiff Nelson A. Portillo, 29, was serving a jail sentence at the San
Francisco County Jail in San Bruno. A trustee, Portillo was helping to
build a guard tower at the jail on October 2, 1992, when the tower
collapsed causing him to fall 15 feet to the ground. Orthopedist Jon A.
Dickinson, M.D., testified via videotape that Portillo required surgery for
a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.
The defendants argued that Portillo had recovered well and did not require
future medical care.
According to Portillo's attorney, the judge ruled that Portillo's illegal
status in the U.S. and his three previous convictions for drug sale and
possession were irrelevant. The jury found in Portillo's favor and awarded
him $96,000 in damages ($11,000 economic, $85,000 noneconomic).
Portillo was represented by Edwin Train Caldwell of San Francisco. See:
Portillo v. City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco County Superior
Court, Case No. 952-850.
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Related legal case
Portillo v. City and County of San Francisco
| Year | 1995 |
|---|---|
| Cite | San Francisco County Superior Court, Case No. 952- |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Jury Verdict |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 96000 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |
no case text