$4.1M settlement for pregnant Cook Co. prison inmates

  

May 22, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- A judge signed a $4.1 million preliminary settlement agreement in a class action suit for dozens of women.

The women were inmates at the Cook County Jail when they were shackled during labor, childbirth, and recovery.

The proposed settlement is the first in the nation offering compensation for such treatment.

Each woman involved in the suit will get an average of $30,000. Lawyers call it a victory for the pregnant prison inmates.

"We believe the settlement of this case was reasonable and fair," said Tom Morrissey, attorney.

The Office of Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart says the county has the most progressive policy in the nation when it comes to assisting pregnant detainees. But this settlement is an efficient way to end this lawsuit and to prevent further cost to taxpayers.

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