State Reps Deny Chimp Attack Victim's Bid to Sue

The Connecticut House of Representatives voted on Monday night to side with a legislative committee that recommended a woman blinded and disfigured in a 2009 chimpanzee attack should not be allowed to sue the state for financial damages.

The 126 to 14 vote on Monday night was not unexpected.

It would have been unusual for the House to overrule the recommendation of the Judiciary Committee.

The committee upheld a decision by the Claims Commissioner's office last year to refuse Charla Nash's request for permission to sue the state.

The issue now moves to the Senate.

Nash claimed officials knew the 200-pound chimp could be dangerous and was being kept without a permit before it went on a rampage.

Rep. Gerald Fox said lawmakers feel "tremendous compassion" toward Nash, but believe the state didn't owe a "personal duty" to protect her.