By C1 Staff
PORTLAND, Ore. — A former inmate who claims he injured himself while climbing down from his prison bunk is suing the state for $49,637.
Oregon Live reports that Mitchell Ray Johnston claims the Oregon Department of Corrections was negligent in failing to provide ladders or another safe way for inmates to climb on and off of bunks at the Columbia River Correctional Institution in Northeast Portland.
Johnston was serving an 18-month sentence for credit card fraud. On August 28, 2012, he claims he “was attempting to get off of his upper bunk when his foot slipped, causing … a torn ACL and meniscus tear to his knee.”
When he was released two months later, he underwent surgery in January 2013, which racked up $28,637 in medical bills.
He is seeking reimbursement for those bills, as well as $21,000 for pain, suffering, interference with everyday activities and his inability to take part in recreational activities.
The Oregon Live notes that this sort of suit is uncommon in Oregon, as most inmates settle their disputes through the prison grievance process or by filing claims with the state’s risk management department.