Skip navigation
× You have 2 more free articles available this month. Subscribe today.

New York Prisoner Falls in Kitchen Netting $868,516

A New York prisoner who was injured when he fell in the prison kitchen was awarded $868,516.

In May 1991, 29-year-old prisoner, Mr. Lopez, slipped in liquid on the kitchen floor. He “suffered a fractured tibia, resulting in varus and rotation deformity; and a fractured right fibula, resulting in surgery, internal fixation, leg shortening, limited motion, muscle atrophy, and a limp.”

Lopez sued in state court, arguing prison officials negligently allowed an unsafe condition to exist. Defendants denied liability, asserting that the injuries were due to horseplay. In November, 1996, the court found for Lopez, awarding him $400,000 for pain and suffering, and $468,516 for future lost wages, for a total award of $868,516. See: Lopez v. New York, Court of Claims, Case No. 84553(1996 WL 795941)

As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.

Subscribe today

Already a subscriber? Login

Related legal case

Lopez v. New York