NEW HAVEN, Conn. –– Renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump has achieved a historic $45 million settlement in a civil police brutality case. The case involved Richard “Randy” Cox, a Black man left paralyzed from the chest down following an arrest by New Haven police officers in Connecticut. This groundbreaking settlement is the largest ever recorded in a police misconduct case, surpassing the previous record set for the killing of George Floyd. Crump aims to make it financially unsustainable for law enforcement to violate constitutional rights and engage in unnecessary brutality. Cox’s paralysis occurred during his transportation in a police van, resulting from a sudden stop.
Cox’s plea for help was met with mockery and baseless accusations from some officers. The settlement follows the termination of two officers involved in the incident. New Haven’s Mayor and Police Chief have committed to accountability and preventing similar incidents. The settlement provides financial support for Cox’s extensive healthcare needs as he now lives as a dependent, requiring constant assistance.
Attorney Crump issued the following statement:
“When an individual enters police custody, there is an obligation to treat them with dignity and respect and in a manner that ensures their safety and well-being. That did not happen with Randy: he entered police custody being able to walk, and he left police custody paralyzed with his life and his health forever altered.”
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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
