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$8,000 Awarded in NY Chair Collapse

On November 24, 1999, the New York court of claims awarded $8,000 in damages to New York prisoner Troy Benjamin. In 1995 while Benjamin was a prisoner at the Collins Correctional Facility, the back of the chair he was sitting in fell off, causing him to fall backwards, separate his shoulder and require the use of an immobilizer for several weeks.

The court ruled in Benjamin's favor, finding the defendant prison system had exclusive control of the chair and accidents of this type do not happen absent negligence. The court awarded Benjamin $8,000 in damages for past pain and suffering and loss of quality of life. Benjamin litigated the case pro se. See: Benjamin v. State of New York, Claim No. 93569. NY Court of Claims, Buffalo.


Source: NY Jury Verdict Reporter

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Related legal case

Benjamin v. State of New York