Prisoner gets green light to sue state over ‘napalm’ attack injuries

A prisoner who was the victim of a jailhouse ‘napalm’ attack is at risk of losing an eye after corrections staff refused him access to prescribed eye drops to treat the burns, court documents allege.

The prisoner’s burnt eye became infected after he was left without proper medical care in custody. It’s alleged he suffered severe burns when a fellow inmate poured heated Coca Cola over him. Picture: File/generic photo

A prisoner who was the victim of a jailhouse ‘napalm’ attack is at risk of losing an eye after corrections staff refused him access to prescribed eye drops to treat the burns, court documents allege.

Ricky Boots, 29, has been granted leave to commence legal proceedings against the State of Queensland for damages he alleges were caused when his burnt eye became infected after he was left without proper medical care in custody.

In an originating application filed with the Brisbane District Court, it’s alleged Boots suffered severe burns when a fellow inmate poured heated Coca Cola over him in January 2021, causing injuries to his face, right eye, shoulder, neck and body.

Scalding liquid assaults in prisons are colloquially referred to as ‘napalm attacks’, with sticking agents such as jam or sugar added to make the boiling liquid stick to the skin for longer.

Boots’ injuries were treated in hospital before he was returned to prison with eye drops to treat his burnt right eye that doctors said would help to prevent permanent damage.

According to his claim, Boots was placed on a security order upon his return and the eye drops taken from his possession for two days.

“The claimant also made numerous requests for his eye drops and for assistance in taking his eye drops,” court documents state.

“He found it extremely difficult to properly administer the eye drops due to the swelling around his right eye and his lack of vision.

“On the 11th of January 2021, the claimant had made note of his serious concern of his lack of vision and noted he had believed his injury had become infected, however, no additional medical attention was provided.”

The next day, he was returned to hospital with pain and blurred vision. He spent a month in hospital and underwent a skin graft and had placenta stitched in the injured eye.

The claim also makes several other allegations against the State.

“The damage the claimant had initially received from the attack was substantially exacerbated due to the lack of medical attention and restriction of access to prescribed medication,” the claim states.

“The claimant continues to suffer ongoing pain, discomfort and substantially reduced vision as a result of the negligent care of the Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) staff.”

At the time of the attack, Boots had been on remand and later pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful carnal knowledge with a child.

The sentencing court heard he impregnated a 14-year-old girl when he was aged 24 in 2019 when they were in what a magistrate described as a “consenting” relationship.

Boots was granted leave this month to commence proceedings against the state over the damages allegedly suffered in the wake of the ‘napalm’ attack.

In documents filed with the court, Boots says he suffered permanent damage to his eye and that doctors had discussed the possibility of having the eye permanently sealed.

A report from an ophthalmic surgeon who reviewed his file notes stated: “In Mr Boots’ case, the failure of administration of appropriate treatment led to his visual acuity significantly worsening.”

“There is a clear necessity medically for the topical treatment as dictated by the treating ophthalmology team at the (hospital) to have been followed strictly for Mr Boots to have had the appropriate level of care and to have the expected outcome based on his grade of corneal burn,” the surgeon wrote.

“I believe therefore that having not had the appropriate treatment strictly adhered to, the QCS staff fell below the acceptable standard of practice in the Australian medical community.”

The state is yet to file a defence.