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Washington DOC Pays $80,000 in Guard Slip and Fall
In 1999, the State of Washington and the Department of Corrections paid Joann L. Sprengel and Lew Sprengel (husband and wife) $80,000. On February 14, 1995, Joann Sprengel was leaving to go home from work when she slipped and fell, fracturing her leg and dislocating her ankle. Sprengel was employed as a guard the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington. Sprengel claimed that there were no lights enabling her to see on the way to her car in the WSP parking lot.
While walking across the lower parking lot to her car, Sprengel slipped on ice and snow and fell. Sprengel was then transported via ambulance to Walla Walla General Hospital. As a result of the fall, Sprengel suffered seven fractures in her leg and a dislocated ankle. Sprengel's personal life was also interrupted, as she was to be married in April of that same year. In December of 1995, Sprengel, by and through her attorney Rene Erm II from Walla Walla filed a lawsuit claiming negligence by the DOC. The Washington DOC paid Sprengel $80,000 to settle the lawsuit. See: Sprengel v. the State of Washington, Walla Walla County Superior Court, case no. 96-2-00255-1.
While walking across the lower parking lot to her car, Sprengel slipped on ice and snow and fell. Sprengel was then transported via ambulance to Walla Walla General Hospital. As a result of the fall, Sprengel suffered seven fractures in her leg and a dislocated ankle. Sprengel's personal life was also interrupted, as she was to be married in April of that same year. In December of 1995, Sprengel, by and through her attorney Rene Erm II from Walla Walla filed a lawsuit claiming negligence by the DOC. The Washington DOC paid Sprengel $80,000 to settle the lawsuit. See: Sprengel v. the State of Washington, Walla Walla County Superior Court, case no. 96-2-00255-1.
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Related legal case
Sprengel v. State of Washington
| Year | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Walla Walla Co Sup Ct, case no. 96-2-0255-1 |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 80000 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |