Michael Nash, Conservator for the Estate of
Charla Nash, vs. Sandra Herold

On Wednesday November 4, 2009, Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C. filed a claim against the State of Connecticut on behalf of Charla Nash. The claim, filed with the Connecticut Claims Commissioner in accordance with state statutes, requests permission to sue the State of Connecticut and alleges the State’s actions and failures to act resulted in grievous injuries to Ms. Nash. The claim seeks $150,000,000.00 in compensation for Ms. Nash.

"We believe the evidence will show that the State, acting through the Department of Environmental Protection, failed to adequately address a serious public safety issue that resulted in tragic consequences for our client," said Matt Newman, a partner at Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C.

Chimp attack victim Charla Nash sues state...

On May 5, 2009, the court entered an order granting Michael Nash, as Conservator for Charla Nash, a $10,000,000.00 attachment on Sandra Herold’s assets. These assets include several pieces of Stamford real estate, business assets and any interest Herold may have in assets still held in the name of her husband’s estate. According to the stipulation, Herold may not sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise encumber any of the named assets. Herold also agreed to give a full accounting of her assets, by no later than June 15, 2009, at which time Nash may request a modification of the attachment, if warranted.

At the present time Charla Nash remains in critical but stable condition at The Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. Although still sedated, Charla does have periods of wakefulness and has had some communication with her brothers and daughter. Charla underwent surgery in mid-May, which included the insertion of a prosthetic pallet.

On February 16, 2009, in Stamford, Connecticut, Charla Nash was viciously attacked by a 14 year old chimpanzee owned by Sandra Herold and kept by Ms. Herold in her home as a pet. Charla had been called by Ms. Herold to her home to try to assist in controlling the chimp, who was running loose outside the Herold residence. When Charla arrived and exited her vehicle, the chimpanzee immediately attacked her, and inflicted horrific injuries on Charla.  Emergency personnel responded to Ms. Herold’s 911 call and the police were ultimately forced to shoot and kill the animal. Charla was brought to Stamford Hospital, where she endured 7 hours of lifesaving surgery. She was then transferred to the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, where she remains.

Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C., joined by co-counsel William Monaco, Esq., of Feldman, Kramer & Monaco of Hauppauge, New York, filed a lawsuit Monday, March 16, 2009 in the Stamford Superior Court against Sandra Herold on behalf of Michael Nash, Conservator for the Estate of Charla Nash.  The suit seeks an attachment of property owned by Ms. Herold, the estate of her late husband, for which she is the executrix, and Desire Me Motors, a corporation of which she is the president.

The court has granted a temporary restraining order preventing Sandra Herold from transferring or dissipating any of her real estate or other assets pending a hearing scheduled for April 13, 2009.

The lawsuit seeks to hold Sandra Herold responsible for the catastrophic injuries suffered by Charla Nash due to Sandra Herold’s possession of a dangerous animal and her negligent and reckless conduct that culminated in the tragic events of February 16, 2009. Click here for a .pdf of the complaint.

At the present time Charla Nash remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit at The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.  There has been no significant change in her condition.

The family has established a website to inform the public about Charla’s condition and to accept donations.  Charla did not have health insurance.  For more information, or to make donations, please call 1-866-228-5970.  You can also e-mail the trust at:

donations@nashtrust.com or donations@thenashfund.com.

Donation checks can be made out to:  Charla Nash Supplemental Needs Trust.  Mailing Address:  Nash Trust, Attention:  Bill Monaco c/o Feldman, Kramer, & Monaco, PC, 330 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, New York 11788.

Charla Nash - Latest News on Chimp Attack in Connecticut & Information on Lawsuit filed by Personal Injury Lawyers in CT

Meredith Vieira of TODAY interviews Charla Nash Nov 16th, 2009 (video)

Charla Nash appears on Today's Show (article)

Charla Nash Appears on Oprah for First Public Interview

On Wednesday, November 11, 2009, Oprah Winfrey visited Charla Nash at the Cleveland Clinic. They discussed how Charla is coping with life after she was viciously attacked by a 200 pound chimpanzee.

Charla Nash on the Oprah Winfrey Show

Woman Attacked by Chimp Reveals Face on 'Oprah'...

Stamford woman attacked by chimp reveals face on 'Oprah'...

State Biologist Warned of Chimp's Potential for Harm

DEP commissioner's March 20, 2009 letter to legislators with Oct 2008 DEP biologist's memo

Family of chimpanzee attack victim Charla Nash files suit against chimp's owner
Los Angeles Times, CA

The family of Charla Nash, the Connecticut woman who was attacked by a pet chimpanzee last month, has filed suit against the chimp's owner, Sandra Herold. The $50-million lawsuit alleges that Herold "possessed a wild animal which she knew had exhibited ...

Stamford Woman Mauled By Chimpanzee Reveals Face On Winfrey Show

Oprah Winfrey interviews Charla Nash, the Stamford woman

Charla Nash had not shown her face publicly since the February attack that made her a national fascination, a woman mauled by a chimpanzee, left to live with no hands, nose, lips or eyes...

Conn. officials consider dangerous animals ban

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The chimpanzee attack that has left a Connecticut woman fighting for her life has led to a proposed state ban on private ownership of dangerous animals...