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Inadequate Medical Care in Chicago Jail Slip and Fall Nets $25,000

An Illinois prisoner who was injured when he fell on a wet floor was awarded $25,000.

Mr. Reed, a 46-year-old prisoner at the Cook County Jail, fell on a wet floor and struck an exposed bolt. He “suffered a puncture wound in the middle knuckle of his right hand, resulting in an infection, subsequent joint, tendon, and bone infections, septic arthritis, and a permanently deformed knuckle with loss of grip strength.

Reed sued in state court, alleging Defendants negligently left a bolt exposed after removing a bathroom stall. He also claimed Defendants failed to maintain a safe premises and deprived him of adequate medical care. Defendants claimed the accident was the result of a probable fist fight and plaintiff received appropriate medical care.

In April, 1996, a jury ruled for Defendants on the exposed bolt claims, but found for Reed on the inadequate medical care claims. Reed was awarded $6,250 for past medical care and $18,750 for pain and suffering, for a total award of $25,000. See: Reed v. Cook County, Cook Cty. Cir., Case No. 91L-574 (1996 WL 1348895).

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Related legal case

Reed v. Cook County