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Ohio Jail Prisoner’s Excessive Force Lawsuit Settles For $100,000

On May 24, 2007, an Ohio prisoner who claimed he suffered permanent back injury after guards beat him at the Delaware County Jail accepted a $100,000 settlement to end his lawsuit against the county and others.

Plaintiff Steven Foster, 23, claimed that in September 2001, while he was writing a letter, three jailers entered his cell and began beating him.
According to Foster, the jailers shoved a flashlight into his back, bent his legs behind him, slammed his face into the floor, and hit him in the head. Foster claimed that following the attack it was six hours before anyone responded to his cries for help.

At the time of the attack Foster was waiting to undergo a surgical evaluation for a pre-existing back injury. He claimed he required immediate back surgery following the attack but that he did not see a neurosurgeon until November 15, 2001. The neurosurgeon ordered immediate corrective surgery. Foster alleged that after the diagnosis he was released to the hospital so the jail could avoid paying for his surgery.

In his lawsuit Foster claimed assault and battery and that the delay in care aggravated his back injury. Foster specifically claimed permanent nerve injury that limited the use of his foot, numbness below one knee, and recurring back pain.

Prior to trial the county settled for $100,000, though, as is typical in these types of cases, they denied any wrong-doing.

Foster was represented by attorney David I. Shroyer of Columbus, Ohio. See: Foster v. Delaware County, Court of Common Pleas, Case No. Unknown.

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Related legal case

Foster v. Delaware County