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Washington DOC Pays $5,500 for Faulty Stairs
On December 1st, 1999 Edward Tuinman, a prisoner confined at the Washington State Reformatory in Monroe, Washington, fell half way through a faulty set of stairs leading to the prison hospital. Tuinman was on his way to the medical floor when his foot and entire torso went completely through one of the metal stairs. Tuinman was able to "catch himself" before his whole body fell completely through.
Tuinman was later referred to the prison hospital where he spent a week in convalescence. Because of neglect on part of staff and the Washington Department of Corrections, Tuinman claimed his normal life had been altered and tainted. He was unable to move or bend without suffering pains.
Tuinman claimed that the stairs "were not maintained in a suitable manner," and that the problem was well known by numerous staff members through out the institution. An hour after the incident, however, the stairs were fixed. On December of 2000, Tuinman, represented by Tim Tesh of Seattle, was paid $5,500 by the State of Washington and DOC to settle his tort claim. See: Tuinman v. Washington DOC, Claim # 31050742.
Tuinman was later referred to the prison hospital where he spent a week in convalescence. Because of neglect on part of staff and the Washington Department of Corrections, Tuinman claimed his normal life had been altered and tainted. He was unable to move or bend without suffering pains.
Tuinman claimed that the stairs "were not maintained in a suitable manner," and that the problem was well known by numerous staff members through out the institution. An hour after the incident, however, the stairs were fixed. On December of 2000, Tuinman, represented by Tim Tesh of Seattle, was paid $5,500 by the State of Washington and DOC to settle his tort claim. See: Tuinman v. Washington DOC, Claim # 31050742.
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Related legal case
Tuinman v. State of Washington DOC
| Year | 2000 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Claim No. 31050742 |
| Level | Tort |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 5500 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |