STAMFORD, Conn. -- The twin brother of a woman mauled by a 200-pound chimpanzee in Stamford last week has been appointed her conservator, and is taking legal steps to prepare a possible lawsuit on her behalf.

Stamford Probate Judge Gerald M. Fox Jr. appointed Michael Nash as temporary conservator to his 55-year-old sister, Charla, on Tuesday.

Charla Nash was critically injured in a Feb. 16 attack by a chimpanzee owned by her friend, 70-year-old Sandra Herold.

The chimp, named Travis, was fatally shot by police following the attack.

In his order, Fox said Nash is in a medically induced coma and in grave condition with serious injuries to her face, head and hands.

Michael Nash said the severity of Charla's injuries necessitates her being in a medically induced coma. He said a delay in appointment of conservator would cause immediate and irreparable harm to her physical health as critical medical decisions must be made constantly, sometimes on an hourly basis.

While Michael Nash was granted temporary conservatorship, a hearing is scheduled on the matter for next week.
Police said the attack lasted for 12 minutes and that responding officers, who could not discern whether Nash was a man or woman, said, "He has no face."

She is being treated at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

The clinic performed the nation's first face transplant two months ago.

In court papers, Michael Nash said the conservator status is needed to protect his sister's ability to recover damages in future litigation. He did not say who he would sue.

Legal experts said Herold is vulnerable to a costly civil lawsuit, and that the state could also have legal problems for not taking action earlier.

Attorney William Palmieri, who has handled an animal neglect case, said the case makes "a helluva lawsuit against the owner."