Larry Jones vs. County Of Los Angeles et al

Case Background

On February 21, 2024, Plaintiff Larry Jones filed a civil rights violation lawsuit in the California Central District Court, Western Division (Case Number: 2:24cv1388). The Court assigned the case to Judge Stephen V. Wilson and referred it to Magistrate Judge Autumn D. Spaeth. The lawsuit alleged violations of the Eighth Amendment.

Cause

On September 19, 2023, while incarcerated at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles County, Plaintiff Larry Jones suffered a traumatic injury. Deputy Ira Ynigo of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LACSD) forcefully slammed a steel door while Mr. Jones relied on the door frame for support, as prescribed by his doctor due to his physical limitations. The door trapped Mr. Jones’ finger, causing a severe injury. Despite knowing about Mr. Jones’ disability, Deputy Ynigo locked the door, which worsened the harm and ultimately led to the amputation of the fingertip. Tier camera footage captured this incident, highlighting potential civil rights violations within the jail.

Injuries

Deputy Ynigo’s reckless actions caused the amputation of Larry Jones’ fingertip. Mr. Jones bled profusely and endured immediate, severe physical pain. The injury occurred without any provocation, as Deputy Ynigo acted with deliberate disregard for Mr. Jones’ well-being. Mr. Jones also suffered emotional trauma from the abusive actions of LACSD personnel. The case raised questions about civil rights violations and the LACSD’s treatment of inmates, including whether the conduct violated Mr. Jones’ Eighth Amendment rights.

Damages

Mr. Jones experienced physical, emotional, and financial hardships because of this incident. The loss of his fingertip caused permanent disfigurement and hindered his ability to perform daily tasks. He incurred significant medical expenses, including emergency care and ongoing treatment. In addition to physical injuries, he faced emotional distress caused by the abusive conduct and lack of accountability within the jail system. The damages included medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering, making this a critical example of civil rights violations and Eighth Amendment concerns.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Larry Jones
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Apemwoyah Kisob Alaric-Lorenzo
  • Defendant(s): County of Los Angeles | Ira Ynigo | Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department
    • Counsel for Defendants: Daniel P. Barer | Karen Stepanyan | Lenore Cabreros Kelly

 Claims

Larry Jones filed claims against Los Angeles County, LACSD, Deputy Ynigo, and unnamed defendants. His claims included:

  1. Negligence: The failure of LACSD personnel to exercise reasonable care caused the amputation injury.
  2. Excessive Force (42 U.S.C. § 1983): Deputy Ynigo used force unreasonably, violating Mr. Jones’ civil rights and Eighth Amendment protections.
  3. Deliberate Indifference: LACSD personnel disregarded Mr. Jones’ medical needs, violating his Eighth Amendment rights.
  4. Assault and Battery: Deputy Ynigo maliciously inflicted harm without justification.
  5. Violation of the Bane Act (Civil Code § 52.1): The defendants interfered with Mr. Jones’ civil rights through coercion and violence.
  6. Public Entity Liability (Monell Claim): The systemic failure of Los Angeles County to train and supervise its personnel directly contributed to the harm.

Larry Jones sought compensatory damages exceeding $40 million for medical expenses, pain, and suffering, as well as punitive damages to deter future misconduct. His case highlighted serious civil rights violations and systemic issues within the jail system.

Defense

The defense argued that Deputy Ynigo and other officials did not act unlawfully or negligently. They claimed that Mr. Jones failed to take reasonable measures to prevent his injury and knowingly assumed the risks of his environment. The defense stated that Deputy Ynigo’s actions did not violate Mr. Jones’ civil rights or the Eighth Amendment, as they were taken in good faith and within legal duties.

The defense also invoked qualified immunity, arguing that their actions were reasonable based on the circumstances. They claimed that Mr. Jones failed to exhaust administrative remedies and that some claims against the Sheriff’s Department were duplicative. The defense requested the dismissal of all claims, denial of damages, and reimbursement of legal costs.

Jury Verdict

On September 20, 2024, the jury ruled in favor of Deputy Ira Ynigo. They found that Deputy Ynigo’s actions did not violate Larry Jones’ Eighth Amendment rights. The jury determined that the conduct did not amount to cruel and unusual punishment or deliberate indifference to Mr. Jones’ safet

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com