Family of Woman Mauled by Chimpanzee Files For 50 Million In Damages

Family of Woman Mauled by Chimpanzee Files For 50 Million In Damages. The family of Charla Nash, the Connecticut woman mauled by a Sandra Herolds’ chimpanzee last month has filed preliminary legal papers seeking $50 million in damages.

Legal papers were filed late Monday, March 16Th, 2009, in Superior Court in Stamford against Sandra Herold by relatives of Charla Nash. They are seeking an accounting of Herold’s assets and an order that would prevent her from liquidating assets.

The Cleveland Clinic has said Charla Nash, 55, lost her hands, nose, lips and eyelids and may be blind and suffering brain damage from the attack on February 16Th, 2009. in Stamford, Connecticut.

“Our client has suffered and will continue to suffer agony and pain beyond comprehension,” said the Nash family attorney, Charles Willinger. “Based upon the horrendous injuries, the pain and suffering, the loss of life as she knew it, we can easily justify $50 million.”

It is believed that a large part of the case will rely on research about wild animals.

“Most chimp owners actually give their animal away at six to eight years because they become too difficult to socialize,” Willinger stated.

There have been at least three incidents in which Herold’s chimp, Travis, had caused problems prior to the attack on Nash. In 1996, Travis bit a woman on her hand and tried to drag her into a car. In 1998 Travis bit a man on his thumb. In 2003, Travis ran around downtown Stamford and it took police hours to get the animal back in the car.

Charla Nash did not have medical insurance. A fund has been set up to accept donations for Nash’s medical expenses. For more information about making a donation, visit NashTrust.com.

Stamford Hospital, where Nash was initially taken after the attack, said it has graciously waived all of her medical bills. Thumbs up, Stamford Hospital!

Nash’s family is not fooling around…they have stated that the suit could later include the state and other parties responsible.

Criminal charges has not been made as Police are waiting on test results from the animal autopsy.

The 200 pound chimp was shot and killed by police at the attack and have not pressed criminal charges against Herold, as to date.

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