Jurimatic: Verdicts and Settlements

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.

Martine Aniel initiated a lawsuit against the City and County of San Francisco following a severe trip-and-fall incident on Hayes Street. On May 4, 2023, while walking in front of 528 Hayes Street, Aniel tripped over irregular and raised sidewalk slabs that the City had failed to maintain. The resulting fall caused a fractured left acetabulum and significant physical impairment. Although the City initially denied her administrative claim, the parties ultimately reached a $45,000 settlement to cover her medical expenses and physical suffering.

Bryn Miller filed a lawsuit against the City and County of San Francisco and Officer Anthony Montoya following a severe collision at the intersection of 20th and Folsom Streets. On a rainy night in March 2023, Miller was cycling with proper safety gear when Montoya, operating a city-owned Ford Explorer, turned directly into her path. The impact threw Miller over her handlebars, resulting in serious physical trauma and a lingering fear for her life. An investigation found the officer at fault for failing to yield the right-of-way. To resolve claims for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, the City agreed to a $95,000 settlement.

After 17 years of loyal service, DaRon Benson returned to work at S.E. Combined Services of California following a two-year medical leave, only to face immediate hostility and systemic targeting. His supervisor, Yuri Sikkema, allegedly stripped Benson of long-held benefits and subjected him to racial animus, claiming the company had functioned perfectly without him. The dispute culminated in Benson’s termination based on what the jury determined were sham allegations of timecard fraud. On November 19, 2025, an Alameda County jury held the defendants accountable for discrimination and retaliation, awarding Benson a landmark $13,655,263 for his economic losses and the profound emotional distress caused by the loss of his career.

On a summer afternoon in August 2019, 15-year-old Roberto Diaz Garcia attempted to cross the street near the intersection of Maple Avenue and East 37th Street in Los Angeles. As the teenager stepped into the crosswalk area, a vehicle struck him with significant force, resulting in life-altering injuries. The legal action alleged that the City of Los Angeles maintained a "trap" for pedestrians due to poor visibility and inadequate safety measures. The collision left the young Plaintiff with devastating trauma, including permanent orthopedic injuries and third-degree burns. After extensive litigation regarding the city’s failure to implement traffic-calming measures, the parties reached a $1,500,000 settlement to cover the minor’s lifelong medical care and lost earning capacity.

In a major crackdown on the "next generation" of nicotine addiction, the City and County of San Francisco successfully sued several prominent tobacco distributors, including Rogue Holdings and Lucy Goods, Inc. The lawsuit alleged that these companies bypassed local health laws by shipping flavored nicotine pouches—products frequently marketed toward youth—directly to San Francisco doorsteps. City Attorney David Chiu argued that the companies violated the city’s strict ban on flavored tobacco and engaged in unlawful business practices. The litigation highlighted the health risks posed to minors by "discreet" nicotine products available in candy-like flavors. To resolve the claims, the defendants agreed to a $3,000,000 settlement and a permanent injunction barring future illegal sales in the city.