UPDATE: Smyrna prison riot lawsuit ends with over $7 Mil. settlement in Del.
Officials report that 11 plaintiffs, including six DOC employees, have reached a settlement of over $7 million dollars. The settlement comes after a lawsuit regarding the prison riot which resulted in the death of a correctional officer, in Smyrna.
In a joint press statement released a 5:15 PM, on Friday, Farnan, LLP says that the Delaware Department of Correction and the plaintiffs in a lawsuit regarding the February 2017 prison riot at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center have reached a settlement. In the settlement, 11 claimants, including six DOC employees, will share $7.55 million. Officials say the money will be paid by the state and includes a settlement of their workers' compensation claims, and a package employment benefits are also being provided.
Former Chief Judge Joseph Farnan Jr., of the United States District Court of Delaware, says the parties agree that the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by the Delaware DOC, State of Delaware, and Delaware officials. The 2017 hostage situation resulted in the death of Lieutenant Steven Floyd, in Smyrna.
In a statement, the defendants comment on the merit of the claims against them. See statement below:
In a statement, the plaintiffs address the $7.55 million settlement. See statement below:
