Stevens County Prosecutor Tim Rasmussen is suing the federal government, alleging he was injured during security screening at the Spokane International Airport more than two years ago.

Rasmussen, who walks with canes, said he fell on the floor and injured his back and tailbone when Transportation Security Administration officials moved his canes and chair without telling him.

Rasmussen “fell violently to the floor” when he tried to sit down after screening, according to a complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court by Spokane lawyers Michael Wolfe and Paul Mack.

Rasmussen filed a claim with the Transportation Security Administration in March regarding the April 4, 2008, incident, but the agency denied the claim “due to the passage of time,” according to the complaint.

“I'm increasingly handicapped as a result of this,” Rasmussen said on Thursday. “I eventually had surgery on my back because of this.”

The complaint seeks unspecified damages.

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