Randy Cox, paralyzed in police van, reaches $45 million settlement with New Haven, Connecticut

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New Haven, Connecticut, settles with Paralyzed Victim Randy Cox for $45 Million

Randy Cox, a man paralyzed due to a police van incident, has secured a $45 million settlement from New Haven, Connecticut, as announced by the city’s mayor and lawyers on Saturday. This follows Cox’s arrest last year, during which he was transported handcuffed and unbuckled in the rear of a police van.

Mayor Justin Elicker declared the settlement agreement was reached Friday evening after an extensive meeting with a federal magistrate judge. This occurred only two days after two officers, deemed by authorities as having acted recklessly and without empathy towards Cox, were dismissed from the city’s police force.

Cox’s legal team, Ben Crump, Louis Rubano, and R.J. Weber, acknowledged past errors made by the city in a statement. They emphasized the importance of using this instance to enhance the public’s faith in their city and law enforcement.

In the police van incident on June 19, 2022, Cox, 36, was left with a chest-down paralysis after a sharp brake propelled him into a metal barrier, while his hands were restrained behind him. At the time, Cox was in custody for allegedly threatening a woman with a firearm, charges which were subsequently dropped.

Cox reportedly pleaded for assistance, stating he was unable to move and feared death in the moments after the crash, as captured on police video. However, when he arrived at the police station, officers derided Cox, suggesting he was inebriated and feigning his injuries. As shown by surveillance and bodycam footage, officers pulled Cox out of the van by his feet, placing him in a cell before finally taking him to a hospital.

Five officers, including the two dismissed, face criminal charges over this incident. All of them have entered pleas of not guilty.

The initial lawsuit filed by Cox against the city and the officers sought $100 million in damages. His lawyers hailed the resulting settlement as the most substantial in a police misconduct case.

Cox, emotionally exhausted from revisiting the ordeal, will not be issuing public statements this weekend, said his lawyer, Rubano.

This case incited anger among civil rights groups, such as the NAACP, and drew comparisons to the Freddie Gray case in Baltimore. Both Cox and Gray are Black, and both were injured while handcuffed in police vans. All the arrested officers in Cox’s case are Black or Hispanic. Gray, likewise Black, passed away in 2015 due to a spinal injury while in police custody.

Since the incident, the New Haven police department has implemented reforms, including ensuring that all detainees are belted during transport. Furthermore, the state Senate recently approved a bill mandating seat belts for all prisoners in transit.

Mayor Elicker, at a Saturday press conference, lamented the tragic reality of Cox’s condition, who entered a police van able to walk but now cannot. While acknowledging that no settlement can restore Cox to his former health, he expressed hope that it will provide for Cox’s future medical and other needs. At age 36, he said, Cox deserves a chance at a long life with appropriate care and support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Randy Cox Police Misconduct Settlement

More about Randy Cox Police Misconduct Settlement

• Police Misconduct and Lawsuits
• Seat Belts in Police Vans: A Safety Measure
• Civil Rights Advocacy and Police Misconduct
• Remembering Freddie Gray and His Impact
• Overview of Paralysis Injuries