The city of New Haven and the legal team of Richard “Randy” Cox have reached a multi-million dollar settlement in a civil case filed after he was left paralyzed in police custody.
Cox and city officials reached a $45 million settlement after continuing negotiations several months ago. Cox was paralyzed a year ago when a New Haven police van without seat belts pulled up suddenly.
Last year, Cox’s lawyers filed a $100 million lawsuit against the city of New Haven and the New Haven Police Department.
In a statement issued after the ruling, Cox’s attorney, Ben Crump, said the settlement marks the largest case of police misconduct in the nation’s history.
“This agreement sends a message to the country that we know we must be better than this,” Crump said in a statement, along with attorneys Louis Rubano and EJ Weber.
“This historic agreement reflects the commitment of New Haven leadership to fully value Randy Cox’s life and support him on the difficult journey ahead. The city’s mistakes have been well documented. But now is the time to look to the future, so New Haven residents can have confidence in their city and their police department,” the statement read.
The family of the man who became a quadriplegic is asking for $100 million.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said what happened to Cox is unacceptable.
“When a person is taken into police custody, there is an obligation to treat them with dignity and respect and in a manner that ensures their safety and well-being,” Elicker said. “He (Cox) entered police custody able to walk, and came out of police custody paralyzed with his life and health forever altered.”
Earlier this week, two New Haven police officers involved in Cox’s case were fired after a vote by the Board of Police Commissioners. Officers Jocelyn Lavandier and Louis Riviera are now out of work.
Crump said the board’s decision to fire these officers “reflected a commitment to accountability and justice.”
“This agreement makes a strong statement that police departments and their municipalities will be held accountable for ensuring that police officers honor the lives of those they are sworn to serve and protect,” Cox’s attorneys said.
Of the $45 million settlement, $30 million will be covered by the city’s insurance and the remainder will be paid for by the city.
“From day one, Police Chief Jacobson and I have pledged accountability, transparency and action to Randy, the Cox family and the New Haven community, and have pledged to do everything in our power to ensure that an incident like This will never happen again.” Elicker said.
