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$75,000 Settlement in Prisoner’s Negligence Claim Injury Due to Failure to Correct Dangerous Condition
The Wackenhut Corrections Corporation paid $75,000 to settle a prisoner’s negligence claim. The settlement came in a lawsuit filed by Florida prisoner Thomas Less Stevens.
Stevens alleged in his complaint against Wackenhut that on December 21, 1999, while working under the supervision of a prison employee in the food service department at Moore Haven Correctional Institution, he was carrying two 5 gallon buckets of boiling water when he slipped and fell in a greasy area, severely burning and injuring himself.
Stevens maintained that Wackenhut had a duty to maintain its premises in a reasonably safe condition and did not do so. The failing of Wackenhut to both have in place non-skid mats in slippery areas and to warn Stevens of a dangerous condition directly resulted in him being injured. Through its neglect of duty, Wackenhut was responsible for creating a hazardous condition in the kitchen area.
On April 4, 2003, Stevens accepted a $64,000 settlement. He was represented by West Palm Beach attorney Philip L. Valente, Jr. See: Stevens v. Wackenhut Corrections Corporation, Florida 20th Judicial Circuit Court, Case N. 2000-CA-227.
Stevens alleged in his complaint against Wackenhut that on December 21, 1999, while working under the supervision of a prison employee in the food service department at Moore Haven Correctional Institution, he was carrying two 5 gallon buckets of boiling water when he slipped and fell in a greasy area, severely burning and injuring himself.
Stevens maintained that Wackenhut had a duty to maintain its premises in a reasonably safe condition and did not do so. The failing of Wackenhut to both have in place non-skid mats in slippery areas and to warn Stevens of a dangerous condition directly resulted in him being injured. Through its neglect of duty, Wackenhut was responsible for creating a hazardous condition in the kitchen area.
On April 4, 2003, Stevens accepted a $64,000 settlement. He was represented by West Palm Beach attorney Philip L. Valente, Jr. See: Stevens v. Wackenhut Corrections Corporation, Florida 20th Judicial Circuit Court, Case N. 2000-CA-227.
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Related legal case
Stevens v. Wackenhut Corrections Corporation
| Year | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Florida 20th Judicial Circuit Court, Case N. 2000-CA-227 |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Damages | 75,000.00 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |