Former St. Cloud Prisoner Sues Over Severe Drug Reaction

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A former inmate in St. Cloud who says he suffered eye and skin damage after an adverse drug reaction is suing the state prison system's medical provider.

Forty-nine-year-old Teddy Korf of Pine City has filed a federal lawsuit against Corizon Inc., formerly known as Correctional Medical Services.

He claims that medical officials prescribed him a drug in 2007 used to treat bipolar disorder and epilepsy, even though he had no history of either. He says the drug had serious side effects that caused his skin to blister and slough off, and his corneas to deteriorate.

Corizon attorney Charles Gross declined to comment.

Korf already reached a $275,000 settlement with the state Department of Corrections. His lawsuit asks for damages in excess of $75,000.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)