John Doe v. Autauga-Elmore Mental Retardation, et al.

Judgment of $5,000,000 (Autauga County Circuit Court, 2008). A mentally retarded man was sexually abused by his caregiver, Phillip Hamilton. Hamilton pled guilty to sexual abuse charges and was sentenced to five years in prison. Hamilton was employed by Autauga-Elmore Mental Retardation. Autauga-ElmoreMental Retardation paid an undisclosed amount to settle the claims made against it. The judgment entered against Hamilton included $1,000,000 in compensatory damages and $4,000,000 in punitive damages. The circuit clerk told the press that the award could be the highest ever in Autauga County. He said “if it’s not the highest, it has to rank among the highest. It’s certainly the highest I’ve seen...and I don’t recall ever hearing about a judgment that large before I came into office.”

Jane Doe v. Jefferson County Board of Education, et al.

Judgment of $3,000,000 (United States District Court for the Northern District of Birmingham, 2008). During 2004 and 2005, teacher Charles Andrews engaged in an inappropriate relationship with 8th grade female student Jane Doe. Andrews inappropriately touched, kissed, fondled and rubbed Jane Doe on school premises. He also sent her sexually explicit e-mails and notes. As a result of his conduct, Andrews was charged with first degree sexual abuse and eventually pled guilty to second degree sexual abuse. He was sentenced to a twelve month suspended sentence and twenty-four months unsupervised probation. He also was required to relinquish his teaching Andrews. A Federal judge subsequently entered a three million dollar judgment against Andrews. The judgment consisted of $500,000 in compensatory damages and $2,500,000 in punitive damages.

Anonymous v. Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, et al.

Settlement of $450,000 (Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, 2007). A mentally retarded resident of the Partlow Developmental Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama was raped by another resident. The other resident had a history of sexually assaulting other residents. As a result of this history, an employee was required to constantly maintain one-on-one supervision of him. This was to include keeping eye contact at all times with him and also staying within arms length of him. As a direct result of a mental health worker failing to provide proper supervision and accountability of this other resident, anonymous was allowed to be sexually assaulted.

Anonymous v. Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, et al.

Settlement of $400,000 (Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, 2007). A mentally retarded resident of the Partlow Developmental Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama was raped by another resident. A mental health worker was disciplined for neglect as a result of this incident for failing to provide appropriate care and supervision.

Walter Davis, Administrator of the Estate of Norris Davis, deceased v. Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, et al.

Settlement of $400,000 (Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, 2007). Norris Davis was a patient at Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He was attacked by another resident who should not have been on Mr. Davis’ unit. The attack caused head injuries that put Mr. Davis into a coma. He never regained consciousness and eventually died. Prior to the attack, hospital workers saw Mr. Davis’ attacker acting uncharacteristically aggressive and agitated. Despite this, the workers did not report the behavior of the other patient and Mr. Davis died as a result.

Estate of Clyde Knowles v. East Alabama Mental Health-Mental Retardation Board & Waverly House Group Home

Settlement of $300,000 (Lee County, 2005). Clyde Knowles' estate received a settlement of $300,000 after the Waverly House Group Home, an assisted residence home for the mentally ill, allowed Clyde to leave the facility undetected. Although Clyde was not a court-committed patient, his family was assured that he would be supervised at all times. On the evening before his disappearance, Clyde exhibited strange behavior that should have alerted the staff. The staff did not secure Clyde’s room nor did they contact his family. He escaped through a window early the next morning. His body was found several months later. His cause of death was undetermined.

Eunice Dobson v. Confidential Defendant

Settlement of $935,000 (Randolph County). Eunice Dobson was a patient in a nursing home. She was raped while she was in the nursing home, and subsequently died as a result of the injuries sustained in the rape.

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