Jurimatic: Verdicts and Settlements

A California jury awarded $6 million in punitive damages to the family of James Doherty, a 72-year-old cancer patient who died after developing a severe infected pressure ulcer at Alameda Healthcare & Wellness Center. The verdict found the skilled nursing facility and its management company liable for neglecting basic care requirements, including failing to reposition the bedridden patient regularly. Staff missed up to 37% of required repositioning sessions despite knowing Doherty was at high risk for skin breakdown. His wound progressed from minor skin damage to a stage IV pressure ulcer that caused fatal sepsis.

Case Excerpt Lecia L. Shorter, a former pre-trial detainee at the Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF), filed a lawsuit against the County of Los Angeles and its Sheriff’s Department, alleging a "culture of egregious inmate abuse." Shorter opted out of a major class-action settlement to pursue individual claims regarding approximately 19 group strip searches she endured between 2010 and 2013. She described being forced to undergo visual body cavity inspections in a cold, public bus garage while male deputies watched. In one instance, Shorter spent twelve hours handcuffed in a holding cell wearing a "spit mask" without access to food or water. The county defended the searches as necessary security measures, but eventually agreed to a $99,999 settlement to resolve the civil rights and privacy violation claims.

In February 2023, Ignacio and Geneva Duran were traveling through an intersection in Arcadia, California, when their vehicle was violently struck by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department vehicle. The plaintiffs alleged that the driver, Anthony Trinh, had negligently entered the intersection against a red light while on duty. The high-impact collision resulted in significant physical injuries, mounting medical expenses, and loss of income for the couple. While the County initially denied liability and offered numerous affirmative defenses—including claims of government immunity and contributory negligence—the parties ultimately reached a resolution. The legal battle concluded in April 2025 when the County agreed to a $60,000 settlement to compensate the Durans for their pain, suffering, and financial losses.

In May 2022, Carlos Garcia Guerra was driving near the intersection of Palmdale Boulevard and 90th Street East in Littlerock when a vehicle owned by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works struck him. The county vehicle, operated by employee Jeffrey Wilson, allegedly failed to use reasonable care, resulting in a high-impact collision. Guerra filed a lawsuit in December 2022, citing significant physical injuries, property damage, and a loss of future earning capacity. While the County of Los Angeles presented over twenty legal defenses—including claims that Guerra was partially at fault—the parties moved toward a resolution before reaching trial. In April 2025, the legal teams finalized a $100,000 settlement to compensate Guerra for his medical expenses and the disruption to his life caused by the accident.

Telesia Telsee sought justice after a routine drive turned into a traumatic collision involving the San Francisco Police Department. On July 12, 2022, while Ms. Telsee attempted a lawful left turn into a driveway, Officer Robert Spencer Brown bypassed traffic by crossing into the oncoming lane without his emergency lights or sirens activated. The resulting impact totaled Ms. Telsee’s vehicle and caused severe injuries to her head, neck, and back. Although the city initially denied the claim for lack of information, the police department's own investigation found the officer at fault for speed and passing violations. To avoid a jury trial, the City and County of San Francisco agreed to a $125,000 settlement to cover medical expenses and pain and suffering.

A federal jury awarded Kyle Johnson $1,353,313 after finding San Jose Police Officer James Adgar used excessive force and retaliated against Johnson for exercising his First Amendment rights during George Floyd protests on May 30, 2020. The jury found Adgar violated Johnson's Fourth Amendment rights, committed battery, and acted negligently when he shot Johnson with a 40mm foam baton projectile near City Hall. The City of San Jose prevailed on all claims against it.

A Los Angeles jury delivered a $6 million verdict against California State University after finding the institution subjected Anissa Rogers, former Associate Dean at the Palm Desert campus, to severe gender-based harassment. The jury determined that Dean Jake Zhu engaged in relentless harassment of female employees, including screaming rampages and demeaning comments about women being too emotional or sensitive. Rogers was forced to resign in January 2022 after the university failed to address her complaints and instead retaliated against her. The October 2025 verdict included $3 million for past suffering and $3 million for future damages.

A Duval County jury found an apartment complex owner and management company liable for the fatal shooting of a minor at The Avenues Apartments in Jacksonville. Heather Moorer, representing her son Makye Vogel's estate, argued the defendants failed to provide adequate security despite knowing the property sat in a high crime area. The jury awarded $6 million for past pain and suffering and $7 million for future damages, attributing 30% fault to the defendants and 70% to the unknown shooter. The final judgment totaled $3,902,685 plus interest.

A Jacksonville nonprofit museum won a partial verdict against an auto repair shop after a rare 2001 Lotus Esprit Twin Turbo suffered repeated mechanical failures and damage during a years-long repair dispute. The jury found Eurospec made misleading statements about completed repairs but rejected negligence claims. Jurors awarded $11,067.36 under the Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act after the collector car broke down four times within blocks of the shop between 2017 and 2018.

In a significant ruling for roadway safety, a Fresno County jury held public entities accountable for failing to manage known hazards. The case, Vincent Andrade vs. County of Fresno, centered on a late-night collision where a driver struck a massive fallen tree blocking a public thoroughfare. Despite reports of the hazard the previous night, the roadway remained open and unlit. The jury determined the County had constructive notice of the dangerous condition and awarded Andrade over $400,000 for medical expenses and pain and suffering.

Eduardo Diaz, a Hamden police officer, filed a lawsuit against Stephane Paquette and Joyce Dougherty following a 2022 incident where a charging dog allegedly caused him to fall and sustain permanent injuries. Diaz claimed that while responding to an emergency call, the animal's aggressive behavior led to a rotator cuff tear and other physical trauma. The defense argued that the dog’s actions were merely passive or involuntary, citing state legal precedents to shield the owners from liability. On October 9, 2025, a jury ultimately sided with the defendants, delivering a verdict that cleared the owners of all claims for damages.

Demetrius Watson filed a class-action lawsuit against Radin Logistics LLC, alleging the company systematically violated California labor laws. Watson, an hourly employee, claimed that the logistics firm failed to provide mandatory meal and rest periods, neglected to pay earned overtime wages, and required staff to use personal cell phones for work without reimbursement. The complaint described these actions as a broader corporate strategy to minimize costs at the expense of worker rights. To avoid the complexities of a prolonged trial, Radin Logistics agreed to a $120,000 settlement to compensate Watson and other affected "aggrieved employees" for unpaid wages and statutory penalties.