Surveillance footage from November 27, 2019, shows Nicholas Feliciano attempting to hang himself as Department of Correction officers watched without taking immediate action. Recently, there was a development in the official misconduct case.

“We’re gratified to announce a $28.75 million settlement to help take care of Nicholas Feliciano,” said attorney David B. Rankin to a crowd at a recent news conference.

The attorneys for Feliciano’s family say it’s one of the largest single plaintiff civil rights settlements in U.S. history. News of the settlement was first reported by the New York Times.  His grandmother, Madeline Feliciano, says the money will be used for Nicholas’s care.

“He’s only 22 years old, he’s gonna need a life of medical treatment and therapies and medications and services, so [the settlement] doesn’t justify what has happened,” she told News 12 New York.

She says Nicholas sustained anoxic brain damage due to how long he was left hanging without oxygen. When News 12 New York reached out to the DOC for a statement, it referred questions to the New York City Law Department.

“The settlement of this tragic case was in the best interest of all parties. DOC is working to ensure the safety of all on Rikers, including those afflicted with serious mental illness,” the Law Department said in a statement.

According to Feliciano’s lawyers, four DOC employees were arrested and charged with felonies. So far, two of them have pleaded guilty to official misconduct. They were sentenced to no prison time and no community service.

“They took his future away, who are we to say Nick didn’t have a future. He was young and they took all that away from him,” his grandmother said.

Attorneys for Madeline Feliciano say the settlement will be paid out in the next 90 days.