Paralyzed New Haven man receives a record $45M settlement in police brutality lawsuit

(Blackmansstreet.Today) — Richard “Randy ” Cox, who was riding without seatbelts in the back of a police van, was paralyzed when he was thrown into a metal partition following a sudden stop, received on Friday a settlement of $45 million in what Benjamin Crump, his attorney, said was the largest national settlement in a police brutality case.

Cox suffered from neck and spinal injuries. Cox said couldn’t walk but police mocked him and kicked him while he lay van floor. The police ordered him to stand up. Finally, police dragged him with his hands cuffed behind him from the van to jail until medical workers arrived.

The case was settled Friday when two police officers–Jocelyn Lavandier and Luis Rivera – that were involved in the June 19, 2022 incident were fired.

Lavandier and Rivera were among several officers who recklessly dragged Cox out of the police van and around a detention area while he was paralyzed, mocked him for not being able to move, and falsely accused him of being drunk, the Hartford Courant reported Thursday.

New Haven police said the cops treated Cox recklessly and without compassion. A Black police officer retired so he will not face discipline by the department.

“Randy is essentially quadriplegic. He’s in a rehab facility. He can’t feed himself, he can’t clean himself, he can’t relieve himself without assistance,” said a spokesman.

“When an individual enters police custody, there is an obligation to treat them with dignity and respect and in a manner that ensures their safety and well-being. That did not happen with Randy: he entered police custody able to walk, and he left police custody paralyzed with his life and his health forever altered,” Elicker said.

Cox was arrested on a gun charge for allegedly threatening a woman. The charge was later dismissed.

Cox, a 37-year-old father, now lives as a dependent in need of assistance at all times. Crump said the settlement was important to offset the extensive and ongoing healthcare Cox will need for the rest of his life.

This article originally published in the June 26, 2023 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.