Jimmie Otis Wooten v. United States

Wooten a federal inmate who was injured in the fall of an elevator, prevailed in his Federal Tort Claims Act suit 1 in the District Court despite the Government’s defense that as a prisoner-employee his exclusive remedy was his right to recover compensation under 18 U.S.C.A. § 4126. 2 We reverse.

Wooten, a federal prisoner, was employed under the Prison Industries program to perform work in a canvas shop on the fourth floor of the Prison Industries Building of Atlanta penitentiary. On the day in question, Wooten was released from duty at noon to go to another building in the penitentiary for…