City of New York to Pay $28 Million in Civil Rights Lawsuit Settlement
The City of New York has agreed to pay a settlement of $28.75 million in a civil rights lawsuit filed by a woman whose grandson attempted suicide while in custody on Rikers Island. The lawsuit alleged that three Rikers Island correction officers and a captain waited nearly eight minutes before assisting her grandson, who was left hanging in a jail cell. The incident, captured on surveillance video, resulted in brain damage for the 18-year-old. The settlement, filed on Friday in U.S. District Court, will provide financial support for the victim’s medical condition and therapies for the rest of his life.
Delayed Assistance and Reckless Endangerment Charges
The lawsuit was brought by Madeline Feliciano, whose grandson Nicholas Feliciano attempted suicide in November 2019. The report by the Correction Department Oversight Board revealed that correction officers and other individuals present at the time watched the incident unfold for almost eight minutes. The prolonged delay in providing assistance led to the grandson’s brain damage. In 2022, three correction officers and a captain were indicted on reckless endangerment and official misconduct charges in relation to the incident. Two of the guards have already pled guilty to official misconduct, while the other cases are pending.
Call for Closure of Rikers Island
Madeline Feliciano, along with her family’s lawyers, is also advocating for the closure of Rikers Island. The troubled jail complex is scheduled for shutdown by 2026, as per a plan passed by the New York City Council in 2019. The proposal includes the construction of four smaller jails across different boroughs. However, Mayor Eric Adams has raised concerns about public safety and questioned the capacity of the borough jails to accommodate the Rikers population. The demand for closure remains a contentious issue.
