CCA Pays Tennessee Prisoner $6,250 for Brown Recluse Spider Bite
CCA Pays Tennessee Prisoner $6,250 for Brown Recluse Spider Bite
Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and Hamilton County, Tennessee, paid $6,250 to prisoner Teresa Allen to settle a negligence claim.
Allen alleged that while housed at the Silverdale Correctional Facility, a prison owned by Hamilton County and operated under contract by CCA, in September 2002 she was awakened from her sleep from being bitten by a spider on her left arm. While she received treatment by CCA officials, she “was not carefully treated,” resulting in an abscess on her left arm.
She was taken to a hospital on September 17 and again on September 25 for treatment of the large ulcer. Her complaint alleged negligence from the failure to keep the prison “in a safe, insect free, spider free condition”; “to discover, remove, fumigate, or otherwise” assure prisoner housing areas were free of spiders; to change, remove, or destroy mattresses that “were home to or housed dangerous brown recluse spiders; and failing to provide Allen adequate medical treatment.”
The May 2005 confidential settlement was obtained by PLN via public records request. Allen was represented by Chattanooga attorney Glenn R. Copeland.
See: Allen v. Hamilton County, Tennessee, Circuit Court of Hamilton County, Tennessee, Case No. 03C1178
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Related legal case
Allen v. Hamilton County, Tennessee
| Year | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Circuit Court of Hamilton County, Tennessee, Case No. 03C1178 |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Damages | 6,250.00 |