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Washington State Settles Prisoner's Personal Injury Claim for $20,000
On January 8, 2007, the State of Washington settled for $20,000 a personal injury claim brought by a state prisoner.
Michael Humburgs, a Washington State state prisoner, was incarcerated at the Larch Mountain Corrections Center when he injured his ankle. A physician’s assistant put him on bed rest. He returned to his second floor cell, which required walking up a flight of stairs.
As a result of the bed rest order, Humburgs was brought his meals. Three days after the bed rest started, a guard became angered that he had to bring the meal to Humburgs and refused to do so, sending it back to the kitchen and stating that "This isn't the Holiday Inn." When Humburgs later attempted to negotiate the stairs, several guards watched while he struggled, using his crutches. Humburgs fell down the stairs, was knocked unconscious and injured his back. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital where a sprained lower back, ligament damage and possible nerve damage was diagnosed. Humburgs suffers from severe and possibly permanent back pain. A later MRI confirmed spinal disc damage. Furthermore, after the fall, Humburgs was transferred from the minimum-custody prison to a medium-custody prison without explanation.
Washington State settled the claim for $20,000, $2928.95 of which was paid to the Washington State Support Registry. Humburgs was represented by Olympia attorney Larry J. King.
See: Washington State Department of Risk Management, Claim No. 31060245-02
Michael Humburgs, a Washington State state prisoner, was incarcerated at the Larch Mountain Corrections Center when he injured his ankle. A physician’s assistant put him on bed rest. He returned to his second floor cell, which required walking up a flight of stairs.
As a result of the bed rest order, Humburgs was brought his meals. Three days after the bed rest started, a guard became angered that he had to bring the meal to Humburgs and refused to do so, sending it back to the kitchen and stating that "This isn't the Holiday Inn." When Humburgs later attempted to negotiate the stairs, several guards watched while he struggled, using his crutches. Humburgs fell down the stairs, was knocked unconscious and injured his back. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital where a sprained lower back, ligament damage and possible nerve damage was diagnosed. Humburgs suffers from severe and possibly permanent back pain. A later MRI confirmed spinal disc damage. Furthermore, after the fall, Humburgs was transferred from the minimum-custody prison to a medium-custody prison without explanation.
Washington State settled the claim for $20,000, $2928.95 of which was paid to the Washington State Support Registry. Humburgs was represented by Olympia attorney Larry J. King.
See: Washington State Department of Risk Management, Claim No. 31060245-02
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Related legal case
Washington State Department of Risk Management
| Year | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Claim No. 31060245-02 |
| Level | Administrative Agency |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Damages | 20,000.00 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |