Lacy v. Coughlin et al.

Antonio Lacy was detained pending trial when another detainee emptied a multi-gallon hotpot of scalding water onto him in the middle of the night, causing third degree burns over significant portions of his body, months of pain, and permanent injuries.

Although jail policy required officers to keep the hotpots locked and to supervise detainees while they filled them up, officers had done neither on the day of the attack.

Mr. Lacy brought suit in Massachusetts state court, alleging that the officers failed to protect him from a substantial risk of harm. He won a $1.5 million jury award. However, the Massachusetts Appeals Court reversed the jury award in a 3-2 decision. Along with co-counsel, we filed an application for Further Appellate Review in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The Massachusetts high court agreed to re-hear the case. At that time, we settled the case for $2 million.