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Washington DOC Pays $10,810 in Wheelchair Discrimination Suit
In 1999, the State of Washington and the Department of Corrections paid Travis Sparr $10,810 dollars. Sparr, a double amputee above the knee, resided at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington, when he was subjected to cruel and unusual punishment(s). In 1994, Sparr was transferred from Washington State Correction Center in Shelton, Washington to Washington State Penitentiary where, upon arrival, he was escorted to unit four which he was told was a unit for geriatrics, fully wheelchair accessible. When Sparr arrived to the cell he was assigned to, he observed that there was a ramp in front his cell door, but that his wheelchair would not fit through the door. He was then ordered by guards to crawl into his cell, Sparr did as he was threatened by the guards to be taken to the Intensive Management Unit (IMU) if he did not.
Sparr was then told that he'd be brought a smaller wheelchair which he did not receive without delay. When Sparr did receive the wheelchair, he was unable to fit onto it as he reported in his claim: "It looked like it was designed for a child." Because of this, Sparr was compelled to crawl in and out of his cell for five and one half more months. This activity resulted in bruises and abrasions and numerous trips to the medical floor. Later, an extra mat was issued out to Sparr to put on his cell floor to prevent physical damages to the stumps of his legs. Custody (Superintendent Tana Woods and Sgt. Gary Ford) overrode the medical authorization. As this was a violation of Mr. Sparr's eighth amendment right(s), Sparr filed suit by and through his attorney Robert C. Brungardt in 1998 and was paid by the State of Washington and DOC in 1999, $10,000 and $810 in attorney fees. See: Sparr v. the Department of Corrections, USDC ED WA, case no. CS-98-029-RHW.
Sparr was then told that he'd be brought a smaller wheelchair which he did not receive without delay. When Sparr did receive the wheelchair, he was unable to fit onto it as he reported in his claim: "It looked like it was designed for a child." Because of this, Sparr was compelled to crawl in and out of his cell for five and one half more months. This activity resulted in bruises and abrasions and numerous trips to the medical floor. Later, an extra mat was issued out to Sparr to put on his cell floor to prevent physical damages to the stumps of his legs. Custody (Superintendent Tana Woods and Sgt. Gary Ford) overrode the medical authorization. As this was a violation of Mr. Sparr's eighth amendment right(s), Sparr filed suit by and through his attorney Robert C. Brungardt in 1998 and was paid by the State of Washington and DOC in 1999, $10,000 and $810 in attorney fees. See: Sparr v. the Department of Corrections, USDC ED WA, case no. CS-98-029-RHW.
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Related legal case
Sparr v. Department of Corrections
| Year | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Cite | USDC ED WA, case no. CS-98-029-RHW |
| Level | District Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Attorney Fees | 810 |
| Damages | 10000 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |