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Man Blinded at Madison County Jail, Lawsuit Claims
RICHMOND – A Pulaski County man has filed a lawsuit claiming he was partially blinded following an accident at the Madison County Detention Center.
According to Madison County Circuit Court documents, Rodney Lee Perry filed suit on June 5 against Madison County Jailer Ron Devere, Madison County Jail and Madison County.
The complaint states that on June 6, 2008, the plaintiff had been incarcerated in the Madison County Jail for a number of weeks before the alleged incident occurred.
The only light in the two person cell “flashed continuously before totally failing,” according to the complaint. The lawsuit further alleges that the flashing light was brought to the attention of jail personnel, and that it was in view of jail personnel, including the jailer, who should have known it was failing, the complaint states.
Perry slept in the upper bunk in the cell, and was required to climb up to the second bunk, but there was no ladder there, according to the court brief. The claim also states that there is a table affixed to the floor which was not padded or safeguarded from potential injury to cell inhabitants.
According to court documents:
“On or about June 6. 2008 at approximately 11 p.m., the Plaintiff in total darkness caused by the non-functioning light was caused to mis-step while exiting the upper bunk, and fell headfirst into the table affixed within the cell causing serious and grievous injury to the Plaintiff, fracturing facial bones, and causing a total loss of sight in the right eye of the Plaintiff.”
The complaint accuses the jailer, Madison County, and the Madison County Detention Center of being negligent in failing to fix the light, and further alleges the defendants were negligent in the placement of the table in the cell.
Perry is suing for recovery of damages, claiming permanent blindness in right eye, and is seeking recovery of costs including bills for obtaining for a prosthetic eye, other medical costs, pain and suffering, potential lost income, and other compensatory damages.
According to Madison County Circuit Court documents, Rodney Lee Perry filed suit on June 5 against Madison County Jailer Ron Devere, Madison County Jail and Madison County.
The complaint states that on June 6, 2008, the plaintiff had been incarcerated in the Madison County Jail for a number of weeks before the alleged incident occurred.
The only light in the two person cell “flashed continuously before totally failing,” according to the complaint. The lawsuit further alleges that the flashing light was brought to the attention of jail personnel, and that it was in view of jail personnel, including the jailer, who should have known it was failing, the complaint states.
Perry slept in the upper bunk in the cell, and was required to climb up to the second bunk, but there was no ladder there, according to the court brief. The claim also states that there is a table affixed to the floor which was not padded or safeguarded from potential injury to cell inhabitants.
According to court documents:
“On or about June 6. 2008 at approximately 11 p.m., the Plaintiff in total darkness caused by the non-functioning light was caused to mis-step while exiting the upper bunk, and fell headfirst into the table affixed within the cell causing serious and grievous injury to the Plaintiff, fracturing facial bones, and causing a total loss of sight in the right eye of the Plaintiff.”
The complaint accuses the jailer, Madison County, and the Madison County Detention Center of being negligent in failing to fix the light, and further alleges the defendants were negligent in the placement of the table in the cell.
Perry is suing for recovery of damages, claiming permanent blindness in right eye, and is seeking recovery of costs including bills for obtaining for a prosthetic eye, other medical costs, pain and suffering, potential lost income, and other compensatory damages.