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$45,000 Settlement for Federal Prisoner Denied Care for Broken Arm

The federal Bureau of Prisons paid $45,000 to settle a Federal Tort Claims Act action alleging negligent medical treatment, or non-treatment in connection with a broken wrist.

While at Leavenworth Prison on August 5, 1995, prisoner Arthur Mitchell broke his left wrist while playing softball.  A staff physician at the prison set the break the same day.

Mitchell continued to complain of pain and difficulty with the wrist, but he was denied care or treatment.  On August 14, 1995, x-rays were taken that revealed the fracture was not set properly.  An orthopedic surgeon recommended on October 2, 1995, correction of the mal-alignment surgically “as soon as possible.’

Despite that recommendation, no care was provided.

Represented by attorney David W. Whipple of Kansas City, Missouri, Mitchell filed his lawsuit.  The $45,000 settlement was reached on December 30, 2002.  See:  Mitchell v. U.S. Department of Justice, USDC, W.D. Missouri, Case No 01-0742.

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Related legal case

Mitchell v. U.S. Department of Justice