http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=69620
The Oregon Court of Appeals has ruled against a convicted rapist who sought pain and suffering damages because prison officials took away his orthopedic Nike shoes, according to an Associated Press account.
Oregon law prevents plaintiffs from collecting money for pain and suffering unless they prove they suffered economic harm. Frank Voth's feet might be sore, but they don't hurt his wallet, the court ruled.
Starting in 1991, the Department of Corrections provided Voth with medically issued Nike shoes because he has narrow feet. But in 1998, corrections officials took his shoes away when he was transferred to another prison.
Voth, convicted of a 1989 rape and kidnapping, sued, and a judge ordered prison officials to return the Nikes. Voth sued again, seeking money for his pain. A judge rejected his claim, and the Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling.