A city man who was beaten severely by two cellmates while temporarily being housed in the Blair County Prison has agreed to an out-of-court settlement, according to his attorney.

The attorney, Joseph S. Oxman of Philadelphia, said Monday the settlement was confidential but stated it was for a “significant amount.”

He explained the incident that led to his client’s injuries was the result of a “horrible (failure) in policy and procedure by those running the jail.”

The lawsuit on behalf of the 35-year-old man was filed last year by Oxman and attorney David J. Weaver of Johnstown.

It named as defendants Blair County, a former warden of the prison and three corrections officers.

The scenario that led up to the lawsuit began about 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, 2024, when city police were dispatched to a minor two-vehicle accident on the 900 block of Second Avenue.

During the ensuing investigation, police discovered that one of the motorists — the Altoona man — had unpaid traffic violations “dating back several years.”

As a result, he was taken to the county prison in Hollidaysburg, where he was informed he would be held until a magistrate could be contacted.

However, while he awaited the magistrate, prison personnel presumed he was being admitted to the facility.

He went through a standard interview, and then was told to don the prison-issued orange jumpsuit before being placed in a holding cell.

As time went by, an officer escorted him to an upstairs cellblock (J-Block) and he was placed in a cell for inmates considered to be suicide risks.

Two of the three other inmates in the cell were considered to be “mentally and emotionally unstable and had a propensity for violence,” according to the federal lawsuit.

The lawsuit accused prison personnel of knowing the two men, a 22-year-old and a 60-year-old, “would act out if given the opportunity.”

They attacked the Altoona man (who weighed 120 pounds), knocking him unconscious.

The attack resulted in multiple facial injuries, including fractures of the nose and around his eyes.

The victim went through many surgeries that included “metallic implants and cosmetic work to repair damage from the vicious assault,” according to the lawsuit.

The victim continues to suffer from his injuries, it stated.

Charges in the civil lawsuit included:

– Alleged violations of the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution;

– Deliberate indifference to safety and failure to protect the victim;

– Failure to intervene;

– Failure to train and properly supervise staff;

– Intentional infliction of emotional distress upon the victim.

The inmates who attacked the Altoona man are serving lengthy sentences on charges of attempted homicide.

Roy C. Lego, 62, is an inmate at the State Correctional Institution, Camp Hill.

Paul William Carnell, 24, is an inmate at SCI Chester County.

Blair County Judge Jackie Bernard sentenced the pair.

Attorney Oxman advised his client not to discuss the case.