Ana Foreman vs. Justin Foreman

Case Background

On May 2, 2023, Plaintiff Ana Foreman filed a Domestic Violence lawsuit in the Oregon State, Circuit Court of Deschutes County (Case number: 23CV18007 ). Judge Alison Michelle Emerson, Alycia Sykora, Beth Bagley, Michelle McIver, and Wells Ashby presided over the case.

Cause

Ana Foreman and Justin Foreman were married from September 15, 2020, to February 2, 2023, and had one child together. During their relationship, Justin Foreman committed multiple acts of domestic violence against Ana Foreman. On July 2, 2018, he repeatedly struck her on the side of her head near her ear. Furthermore, on December 28, 2020, he put her in a "bear hug," pinned her down, and locked her in a room. Additionally, on August 15, 2021, he grabbed her and pushed her to the ground. In January 2022, he squeezed her face, displayed an aggressive demeanor, and slammed his hand against the wall while their child was present. On January 27, 2022, he struck her with his arm and placed his knees on her chest while she was on the ground. Justin Foreman also repeatedly violated no-contact orders, manipulated the legal system to control Ana Foreman, and threatened suicide to prevent her from leaving the relationship.

Injuries

Ana Foreman suffered multiple physical and emotional injuries due to Justin Foreman's actions. The July 2018 incident caused permanent or semi-permanent hearing loss in one ear. The August 2021 assault resulted in bruising on her body and abrasions inside her cheek. The January 2022 attack left bruises on her body and caused her to cough up blood. Ana Foreman also experienced severe mental and emotional distress due to the ongoing abuse and threats.

Damages

Ana Foreman claimed economic and non-economic damages totaling $650,000. This amount included $50,000 for each of the 13 claims outlined in the complaint, covering medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other losses resulting from the alleged assaults, batteries, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

• Plaintiff(s): Ana Foreman
  • Counsel for Plaintiff: Sean J Riddell| Ashley R. Cadotte

 

• Defendant(s):Justin Foreman
  • Counsel for Defendants: Pro Se

Claims

Ana Foreman filed a complaint against Justin Foreman that included 13 separate claims:

1. Battery (July 2, 2018)
2. Assault (July 2, 2018)
3. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (July 2, 2018)
4. Assault (December 28, 2020)
5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (December 28, 2020)
6. Battery (August 15, 2021)
7. Assault (August 15, 2021)
8. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (August 15, 2021)
9. Assault (January 2022)
10. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (January 2022)
11. Battery (January 27, 2022)
12. Assault (January 27, 2022)
13. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (January 27, 2022)

Defense

The defendant denied paragraphs 4-19 of the plaintiff's complaint, presenting a counternarrative to the allegations. He claimed that he filed for divorce in 2021 due to mental and physical abuse from the plaintiff and her negligent behavior toward their child. The defendant asserted that they had resolved issues for the sake of their child. However, he alleged that the plaintiff continued to abuse him mentally and physically, even in the presence of their child, which forced him to file for divorce again in January 2022. According to the defendant, the plaintiff made several attempts to resolve the divorce, but he refused. He claimed that the plaintiff had been continuously harassing him by filing case after case, including a restraining order that she herself violated by contacting him several times. The defendant argued that the plaintiff only wanted monetary gains from him and was using their child as a pawn by not allowing him to see her. He stated that he wanted nothing to do with the plaintiff, yet she continued to harass him.

Jury Verdict

On July 10, 2024, the jury found in favor of the plaintiff on all claims, holding the defendant liable for various offenses, including battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, spanning from July 4, 2018, to January 27, 2022. The jury awarded the plaintiff $375,000 in non-economic damages in a Domestic Violence lawsuit. For the July 4, 2018, incident, the jury determined that the defendant committed both battery and assault against the plaintiff, awarding $50,000 and $15,000 in non-economic damages, respectively. For the December 8, 2020, incident, the defendant was found guilty of assault, and the jury awarded the plaintiff $25,000 in non-economic damages. Regarding the incidents on August 15, 2021, the jury found the defendant liable for both battery and assault, resulting in awards of $50,000 and $15,000, respectively. Additionally, the jury found the defendant responsible for intentional infliction of emotional distress on that date, awarding the plaintiff $50,000. For the events in January 2022, the jury awarded $30,000 for assault and $50,000 for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Finally, for the January 27, 2022, incident, the jury awarded $50,000 for battery, $15,000 for assault, and $25,000 for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Court Documents: Available Upon Request