Legal team for man paralyzed in New Haven police custody announces lawsuit
NEW HAVEN, CT (WFSB) - The family of a New Haven man paralyzed while in police custody wants $100 million from the city of New Haven.
The attorneys for Randy Cox filed the lawsuit in federal court.
Paralyzed from the chest down, Randy Cox’s family and attorneys said no amount of money will give him his old life back.
They claim with his condition it will cost $20 to $30 million just to give him basic quality of life care for the rest of his life.
They’re going after the city and the officers, alleging negligence, recklessness and excessive force amongst claims.
“Stevie Wonder could see that the city was wrong in this instance, and when you’re wrong you have an obligation to right a wrong,” said Attorney Ben Crump.
Famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump, the family of Randy Cox and their legal team are seeking $100 million from the Elm City for the incident that left the 36-year-old paralyzed from the chest down.
“I spoke to the mayor and police chief. They said they’re going to do what’s right for Randy,” said Latoya Boomer, Randy’s sister.
Back in June, Cox was handcuffed and in a police van that stopped suddenly, sending him flying head first into the doors.
While Cox told officers he couldn’t move and thought his neck was broken, he was pulled out of the van by his feet, processed in a wheelchair and dragged into a holding cell. All of it was captured on police body cam video.
“There is no amount of money in damages that can compensate this man for the injuries he’s sustained, for the injuries he suffered,” said Attorney RJ Webber.
The federal lawsuit names not only the city of New Haven, but also the five police officers who are still on administrative leave.
“As a direct and proximate result of the aforesaid actions of the defendants, Cox has suffered and continues to suffer great physical and emotional pain, including but not limited to mental anguish, frustration, and anxiety over the fact that he was and remains seriously injured.”
“Look at Ms. Doreen’s child as you look at your own children and if they were in this situation would you say, oh that’s too much? No, you would say, City do the right thing, step up, start trying to put an amount that’s fair for the family and don’t put them through this trial,” said Crump.
New Haven’s mayor said while the process needs to play out and while he won’t speak to a specific dollar amount, he adds settling this lawsuit is certainly on the table and that both legal teams will continue to meet.
Cox was recently readmitted to the hospital due to complications from the injuries.
Copyright 2022 WFSB. All rights reserved.