Chimp maul victim wants lawmakers’ help to sue state

The woman mauled by a chimpanzee in Stamford, Conn., in February 2009 is making a last-ditch appeal to Connecticut lawmakers in her bid to sue the state for $150 million.

Charla Nash is attending a hearing on Friday to describe to lawmakers the ordeal she has endured for the past five years.

The panel is considering a bill that would override the June decision by the State Claims Commissioner, who dismissed Nash’s initial request for permission to sue. The state generally is immune from lawsuits, unless allowed by the claims commissioner.

Nash was blinded, lost both hands and underwent a face transplant following the attack. Her attorneys contend a state law gave the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection “unequivocal authority” to seize the chimpanzee, “whose existence threatened public health and safety.”

AP/Agencies/Canadajournal