Florida Prison Sued For Allegedly Breaking Prisoner’s Neck And Leaving Him To Die

Although people are usually put in prison for good reasons, the state still owes them a duty of care. If prisoners are allowed to be harmed while behind bars, the responsible authorities should be held accountable. The sad truth is that many prisoners are exposed to egregious harm in Florida prison, and those responsible are usually never held accountable. But one recent case has attracted the attention of civil rights activists, and it involves a prisoner whose neck was broken by prison guards.

What Happened to Craig Ridley? 

In 2017, Craig Ridley was brought in for criminal mischief and aggravated assault. The incident began when he was tackled to the ground by correctional officers. The impact either dislocated or broke the victim’s neck. At this point, he informed the officers of his injury – but his complaints were dismissed with laughter. At this point, he had allegedly become paralyzed. The officers refused to believe him – even accusing him of trying to fraudulently file a lawsuit against the correctional facility.

The officers then left him chained in a cell. He would spend the next five days there. Later, it was alleged that his injuries prevented him from picking up his food tray or consuming water. Reports show that the prison staff walked back and forth in front of Craig’s cell a total of 170 times. During this time, the victim repeatedly called out for help. It seems as though these calls for help were ignored. Finally, he was taken to a hospital – where he died one month later.

Eventually, it became clear that he had died from a blunt impact to the neck, and his passing was due to quadriplegia complications. However, the victim’s sister was informed that he had died of cancer. Although the officers involved were reprimanded, none were charged with murder – or any criminal offenses for that matter.

The victim’s daughter has now filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Florida Department of Corrections and over a dozen staff members.

This is hardly a unique story. On October 11th, it was reported that the family of Anthony Vidal had filed a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Corrections, seeking $350,000 in damages. The family alleges that officers placed one of the most violent and mentally disturbed prisoners in the same cell as Vidal, causing his death within hours.

Where Can I Find a Personal Injury Attorney in Orlando? 

If you’ve been searching for an Orlando personal injury attorney, look no further than Payer Law. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured victims across Florida – and we know how serious prison injuries can be. With our assistance, you can hold negligent authority figures accountable and seek compensation for your injuries. If you have lost a loved one due to an incident behind bars, you can also file a wrongful death lawsuit. Get in touch today and book your consultation to get started with an effective action plan.

Sources: 

binnews.com/content/2022-10-14-army-vet-inmate-died-after-guards-broke-his-neck-ignored-cries-for-help/

floridajusticeinstitute.org/cases/vidal-v-florida-department-of-corrections/