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$80,000 Settlement Reached in Eye Damage Suit against Washington Department of Corrections

An $80,000 settlement was reached in a suit filed against the Washington Department of Corrections (WDOC) for medical negligence resulting in partial loss of vision.

In October 1997, Jerry Wilms was a prisoner at McNeil Island Corrections Center. In February 2000, Wilms complained of blurred vision and was given Motrin. Wilms was seen several times by health care providers concerning his deteriorating vision; despite the recommendations for treatment, the Prison Utilization Committee denied Wilms timely treatment. Finally, in December of 2000, Wilms was seen and received surgery for the detached retina of his right eye, but the surgery was unsuccessful and Wilms lost vision in his right eye.

After exhausting administrative remedies, Wilms filed suit claiming medical negligence. The case was settled on March 25, 2005, granting Wilms $80,000. He was represented by Attorneys Dan B. Johnson and Dennis W. Clayton of Olympia, Washington. See: Wilms v. Department of Corrections, State of Washington, Washington Superior Court, Pierce County, Case No. 03-2-06461.

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Related legal case

Wilms v. Department of Corrections, State of Washington