Constitutional And Civil Rights

In a historic federal court decision in Louisiana, a jury returned a $42.75 million verdict against the private jail operator, LaSalle Corrections, Inc., for the 2015 in-custody death of Erie Moore Sr. at Richwood Correctional Center. The lawsuit, brought by Moore's children, alleged that correctional staff used excessive force and, crucially, exhibited "deliberate indifference" by failing to provide immediate and necessary medical care after the incident, a violation of Moore’s Fourteenth Amendment rights. This record-setting civil rights judgment held the corporate entity and its employees responsible for systemic failures in training and supervision, emphasizing the jury's commitment to holding the private prison industry accountable for the safety and well-being of detainees.

Juan Zamora and Geraldine Zamora sued the County of Los Angeles and Deputy Ramirez over an incident involving the Deputy's alleged excessive force. The complaint included serious claims like battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violation of the Tom Bane Civil Rights Act. The County rejected all claims, asserting the Deputy acted reasonably and was protected by immunity. After unsuccessful mediation attempts, the parties avoided a jury trial by reaching an unconditional settlement on March 15, 2024. The County finalized the legal action for $190,000.

A Los Angeles jury awarded $115 million to Alexandra Gucci Zarini in her lawsuit against Patricia Gucci and Joseph Ruffalo. Zarini alleged sexual abuse and concealment, while Defendants denied wrongdoing. The case raised awareness of child protection, accountability, and family responsibility. This summary reviews the background, claims, defenses, expert testimony, and the landmark verdict.

Eriberto Perez sued the County of San Bernardino and deputies for alleged excessive force and civil rights violations. The defense denied liability and raised multiple legal immunities. After a May 2025 jury trial, the verdict favored the defendants, with Perez awarded no damages and the County recovering costs.

Yuredli Mena, a security guard at Florida Memorial University, sued U.S. Alliance Service Corp d/b/a U.S. Security and her supervisor Courtney Francis, alleging harassment, assault, and retaliation. Despite repeated complaints, the company failed to act. After Mena obtained a restraining order, she was suspended. On June 10, 2025, a jury found in her favor and awarded $210,000 in damages for emotional, physical, and financial harm.

High Society Management, LLC prevailed in a multi-claim lawsuit against Pro Airways, LLC and its principal, Ryan Staszko, over unauthorized credit card charges and contract violations. The dispute stemmed from a terminated aircraft management agreement and charges made on a company card months after contract expiration. On January 29, 2025, a Miami-Dade jury found Pro Airways liable for conversion, civil theft, breach of contract, and FDUTPA violations, awarding more than $300,000 in total damages. The jury also found Staszko personally liable for breaching fiduciary duties and committing constructive fraud.

Jury finds jail officials liable for inmate suicide; $4M awarded to estate, total liability expected to reach $7M.

On December 4, 2020, Plaintiff James A. Burk, Jr. filed a police brutality and civil rights lawsuit in the United States District Court, Ohio Southern (Case number: 2:20cv6256). This case was assigned to Judge James L. Graham and referred to Magistrate Judge Chelsey M. Vascura. Burk alleged that Columbus Police Officers Joseph Fihe and Kevin Winchell used excessive force against him, including tasing and unlawfully detaining him, despite his identification as a federal agent. On July 7, 2020, ATF Special Agent James A. Burk, Jr. arrived at a residence in Dublin, Ohio, to retrieve an unlawfully possessed firearm. This was part of a routine National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) retrieval. Burk identified himself, displayed his badge, and provided his credentials. Despite this, the occupant refused to open the door and called 911. The dis

On December 28, 2023, Roland Edger filed a civil rights lawsuit against Officers Cameron Perillat and Krista McCabe, alleging they falsely arrested him for refusing to provide identification while he was working on his car. The false arrest lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court, Alabama Northern (Northeastern). Judge Liles C. Burke presided over the case. [Case number: 5:19cv1977] Roland Edger, a U.S. citizen, lived in Huntsville, Alabama. At all relevant times, Krista McCabe and Cameron Perillat worked as Huntsville police officers and resided in Alabama. The City of Huntsville operated as an Alabama municipality. The lawsuit named McCabe and Perillat in their individual capacities. On June 10, 2019, Edger, an Auto Collision employee for nearly 30

On February 17, 2022, Jane Doe, a minor student, through her parents K.M. and A.M. filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Knox County Board of Education for failing to accommodate her misophonia disorder. She alleged disability discrimination and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in her lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court, Tennessee Eastern (Knoxville). The case was assigned to District Judge Katherine A Crytzer and referred to Magistrate Judge Debra C Poplin. [Case Number: 3:22cv63] In the fall of 2021, Jane Doe, a 14-year-old freshman at L&N Stem Academy in Knoxville, faced challenges at school due to her misophonia disorder. This cond

On October 13, 2023, OnSite Fleet, LLC filed a civil rights lawsuit against Nissan North America, Inc alleging discrimination and retaliation against employees. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court, Tennessee Middle (Nashville). The case was assigned to District Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw, Jr and referred to Magistrate Judge Alistair Newbern. [Case number: 3:23cv1071] On April 2, 2018, OnSite signed a contract with Nissan to manage the Corporate Vehicle Lease Program (CV Program). This contract, later amended, was known as the Professional Services Agreement. Under this agreement, OnSite provided services such as vehicle ordering, delivery, maintenance, and accident management at several Nissan facilities,

On April 21, 2024, Plaintiff Patricia Dawn Welch Day filed a civil rights lawsuit in the United States District Court, Minnesota (Case Number: 0:24cv1862). This case, involving allegations of excessive force, was assigned to Judge John R. Tunheim and referred to Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung. On January 17, 2020, Plaintiff Patricia Dawn Welch Day faced a harrowing encounter with Defendants Derek Chauvin and Ellen Jensen, both officers with the Minneapolis Police Department. The incident began after a concerned resident called 911 to report a minivan stuck in a snowbank near 41st Avenue South in Minneapolis. The caller mentioned that an intoxicated woman sat inside the vehicle but posed no immediate threat. Nearly an hour later, Chauvin and Jensen arrived at the scene. By then, Plaintiff had thrown her keys into the back of the minivan to ensure she could