Case: Howard v. Bass

3:84-00322 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

Filed Date: May 24, 1984

Closed Date: 1985

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In 1985, a prisoner of a Virginia state facility filed two class action lawsuits under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the Virginia Department of Corrections in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Both lawsuits settled and were approved by the Court, one on May 13, 1985 and the other on June 5, 1985 (Judge Robert R. Merhige, Jr.). In the first, the defendant agreed to pay the plaintiffs $3,000 without admitting any liability and in exchange for dismissal of the case with prejudice. In the second, the defendants, employees of the Virginia Department of Corrections, paid plaintiffs $80,000 and attorneys' fees and costs, and agreed to provide named plaintiff with appropriate medical treatment for his lung disease, and to revise system-wide guidelines with respect to use of tear gas and other chemical agents on inmates.

There is no further information available.

Summary Authors

Rebecca Bloch (4/5/2006)

People


Judge(s)

Merhige, Robert Reynold Jr. (Virginia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Lichtman, Elliott C. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Horsley, Guy W. Jr. (Virginia)

Mc Vey, Henry H. (Virginia)

Rudy, Peter H. (Virginia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

3:84-00322

Settlement Agreement Between Plaintiffs and Defendant B.I. Robertson

May 13, 1985

May 13, 1985

Settlement Agreement

3:84-00322

Order

June 6, 1985

June 6, 1985

Order/Opinion

3:84-00322

Settlement Agreement Between Plaintiffs and Defendants Bass, et al

None

None

Settlement Agreement

Docket

Last updated March 24, 2024, 3:10 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Virginia

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 24, 1984

Closing Date: 1985

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

prisoners of the State of Virginia

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Virginia Department of Corrections, State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 1985 - 0

Issues

General:

Disciplinary procedures

Type of Facility:

Government-run