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$25,000 Settlement For Juvenile Attacked After Court Segregation Order Ignored
$25,000 Settlement For Juvenile Attacked After Court Segregation
Order Ignored
On July 9, 2004, the Los Angeles County Claims Board settled a civil
rights complaint brought by a juvenile whose court order to house him
singly in protective custody was violated when he was transferred to
another facility.
Arturo G. was serving a sentence at Los Padrinos Juvenile hall. Due to a
history of gang-related fights, the sentencing court specifically ordered
Arturo to be placed in segregated housing. He was, at Los Padrinos,
without incident.
But when he was transferred to Barry Nidorf Juvenile Hall, the Probation
Department failed to include the court's segregation order in his file.
Accordingly, Arturo was housed with a roommate a gang member who, on June
12, 2002, attacked him. Arturo lost two front teeth and suffered bruises
and abrasions.
In contemplating the loss exposure at his pending federal civil rights
trial, defense counsel estimated $10,000 future medical expense, $50,000
pain and suffering, $50,000 emotional distress and $100,000 attorney fees,
for a total of $210,000. County attorney expenditures, including private
counsel, were already at $4,992 in fees plus $538 in costs. Because
counsel believed a jury would likely find the Probation Department had not
been diligent in the transfer process, they requested settlement authority
of $25,000 to try to avoid further litigation. See: Arturo G. v. County of
Los Angeles, U.S. District Court No. CV 03-5615 LGB(SHSx).
Order Ignored
On July 9, 2004, the Los Angeles County Claims Board settled a civil
rights complaint brought by a juvenile whose court order to house him
singly in protective custody was violated when he was transferred to
another facility.
Arturo G. was serving a sentence at Los Padrinos Juvenile hall. Due to a
history of gang-related fights, the sentencing court specifically ordered
Arturo to be placed in segregated housing. He was, at Los Padrinos,
without incident.
But when he was transferred to Barry Nidorf Juvenile Hall, the Probation
Department failed to include the court's segregation order in his file.
Accordingly, Arturo was housed with a roommate a gang member who, on June
12, 2002, attacked him. Arturo lost two front teeth and suffered bruises
and abrasions.
In contemplating the loss exposure at his pending federal civil rights
trial, defense counsel estimated $10,000 future medical expense, $50,000
pain and suffering, $50,000 emotional distress and $100,000 attorney fees,
for a total of $210,000. County attorney expenditures, including private
counsel, were already at $4,992 in fees plus $538 in costs. Because
counsel believed a jury would likely find the Probation Department had not
been diligent in the transfer process, they requested settlement authority
of $25,000 to try to avoid further litigation. See: Arturo G. v. County of
Los Angeles, U.S. District Court No. CV 03-5615 LGB(SHSx).
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Related legal case
Arturo G. v. County of Los Angeles
| Year | 2004 |
|---|---|
| Cite | U.S. District Court No. CV 03-5615 LGB(SHSx) |
| Level | District Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 25000 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |