amvaugha is still immaculate: blog 
beautiful life
chimp attack victim to sue conn. for $150,000,000
Published Nov. 5, 2009Views: 465
(AP) The family of a Connecticut woman mauled and blinded by a chimpanzee sought Wednesday to sue the state for $150 million, saying officials failed to prevent the attack.
The 200-pound chimpanzee named Travis went berserk in February when his owner, Sandra Herold, asked Nash to help lure him back into her house in Stamford.
The animal ripped off Nash's hands, nose, lips and eyelids; she remains in stable condition at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
A Department of Environmental Protection biologist warned state officials before the attack that Travis could seriously hurt someone if he felt threatened, noting that he was large and strong.
"We believe the evidence will show that the state, acting through the Department of Environmental Protection, failed to adequately address a serious public safety issue that resulted in tragic consequences for our client," said Matt Newman, attorney for Nash's family.
The claim comes at a difficult time for Connecticut, where the two-year, $37.6 billion budget is already $624 million in deficit.
"There is a potential for a very significant exposure to the state, depending on how the facts are developed in the claims process," said state Sen. Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford.
Nash's family earlier filed a $50 million lawsuit against Herold, saying she was negligent and reckless for lacking the ability to control "a wild animal with violent propensities."
Herold's attorney, who declined to comment on the new claim, has called the attack work-related and said her family's case should be treated like a workers' compensation claim. The strategy, if successful, would limit potential damages in the case and insulate the chimp owner from personal liability.
The animal, which was shot and killed by police, had also escaped in 2003 from his owner's car and led police on a chase for hours in downtown Stamford. No one was injured.
Records obtained by The Associated Press through a state open-records request show the state began receiving warnings immediately after that event.
Environmental protection officials have said that over the 13 years Travis was with Herold, the agency received only a few inquiries about Travis among thousands in general about possession of wild animals.
Nash's family has a year from the date of the attack to file a claim with the claims commissioner office. The commissioner can recommend an award to the legislature or grant authorization to sue the state in court.
If the commissioner denies the request to seek damages from the state, the family could appeal to the legislature. Without its consent, the state cannot be held liable in a legal action for any damage or injury it may cause.
Filed under: News & Issues
close27 Comments
![[no avatar]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v1/images/golo/noavatar.gif){kind=avatar}
(22 votes) deadly wrecks mar thanksgiving holiday
(3 votes) funeral held for slain fayetteville girl
Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.
You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.
GOLO member since September 2, 2009
November 5, 2009 9:46 p.m.
GOLO member since March 6, 2008
November 5, 2009 6:06 p.m.
GOLO member since January 20, 2008
November 5, 2009 5:32 p.m.
GOLO member since October 9, 2007
November 5, 2009 5:30 p.m.
Sometimes even dogs turn on their owners.
God bless.
RB
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
November 5, 2009 5:09 p.m.
What about the injured woman who failed to stay away? I mean, I'm sorry as can be for her. What she has now to live with for the rest of her life, sustained all while the chimp's owner cowered in a closed locked car with a cell phone, is horrible, but she shoulda said, "Nope, call the cops for that beast."
Course, hindsight is always 20/20. sigh
Sending prayers for the lady and for her loved ones.
Thank God the beast is dead.
God bless.
RB
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
November 5, 2009 5:08 p.m.
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
November 5, 2009 5:01 p.m.
GOLO member since October 26, 2007
November 5, 2009 4:59 p.m.
You cannot make a wild animal a part of your family household like it were the family dog.
GOLO member since July 12, 2007
November 5, 2009 4:46 p.m.
GOLO member since September 19, 2008
November 5, 2009 4:33 p.m.
Please log in to add comment.