Ventura County Settles Jail Death Case for $900K

Case Background

Cynthia Rizalla, a 35-year-old woman, died in custody at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on December 28, 2021. Following her death, her daughter, Kayden Orozco, and her mother, Michelle Rizalla, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the County of Ventura, several Sheriff’s deputies, and the contracted medical provider, Wellpath, LLC, along with one of its nurses. The Plaintiffs brought the case as individuals and as representatives of Cynthia Rizalla’s estate. The lawsuit alleged that the Defendants failed to provide adequate medical care to Ms. Rizalla during a severe opiate withdrawal, which ultimately led to her death.

Cause

The Plaintiffs alleged that the Defendants failed to provide Ms. Rizalla with necessary and immediate medical care during her incarceration. The complaint centered on the argument that the County and its medical staff knew of Ms. Rizalla's drug dependency and her need for care but displayed deliberate indifference to her serious medical needs. The Plaintiffs claimed that this failure violated Ms. Rizalla’s constitutional rights under the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees due process and protection from cruel and unusual punishment while in custody.

Injury

As a direct result of the alleged lack of timely and adequate medical intervention, Ms. Rizalla suffered deteriorating mental health, severe opiate withdrawal symptoms, cardiac arrest, and subsequently, her untimely death on December 28, 2021.

Damages Sought

The Plaintiffs sought judgment against all Defendants for compensatory damages, which covered the economic and non-economic losses resulting from Ms. Rizalla's death. They also sought punitive damages against the individual Defendants, arguing their conduct was malicious or intentionally disregarded Ms. Rizalla’s rights. Additionally, the Plaintiffs requested interest on the judgment and recovery of their attorney’s fees and legal costs.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, initiated a lengthy legal process. The County and the medical provider, Wellpath, responded by generally denying the claims and asserting numerous affirmative defenses.

Legal Representation

Plaintiff(s): Michelle Rizalla, Individually, and as personal representative of the Estate of Cynthia Rizalla | Kayden Orozco, Individually, and as personal representative of the Estate of Cynthia Rizalla.

· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Cameron Sehat, Esq. | Jeffrey Mikel, Esq. | Monica Rubi Reyes-Santiago

· Counsel for Defendant(s): Peter G. Bertling | Jemma Parker Saunders | James S Eicher | Paul B Beach | Rocco Zambito, Jr

Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel

Claims

The core of the Plaintiffs’ case rested on three main claims:

Violation of Civil Rights (Fourth Cause of Action): This federal claim alleged that the County of Ventura and the individual deputies violated Ms. Rizalla’s constitutional right to adequate medical care while she was in their custody. The Plaintiffs contended that the Defendants’ indifference to Ms. Rizalla’s serious medical condition, specifically her opiate withdrawal, constituted a deliberate failure to act, thereby violating the Fourteenth Amendment. This failure created a risk of harm that resulted in her death.

Negligence and Medical Malpractice (First and Second Causes of Action): The Plaintiffs asserted that the individual nurses, deputies, and the corporate entity, Wellpath, acted negligently. They failed to exercise the degree of care that a reasonable medical provider or detention officer would have used under similar circumstances. This failure included not properly monitoring Ms. Rizalla, not recognizing the severity of her withdrawal symptoms, and not summoning immediate emergency medical attention.

Failure to Summon Medical Care (Third Cause of Action): This claim targeted the County and its employees, arguing they breached their mandatory duty under California Government Code § 845.6 to summon necessary and prompt medical care for an inmate in need.

Defense

The defense attorneys mounted a vigorous counterargument, primarily asserting that all Defendants acted reasonably and within the scope of their duties, and that they had not violated Ms. Rizalla’s civil rights.

Wellpath, LLC's Defense: The medical provider denied the allegations of deliberate indifference and negligence. In its Answer, Wellpath asserted numerous affirmative defenses, including the claim that the Plaintiffs’ own acts or omissions were the direct cause of the injuries. They also argued that they had provided all medical care that was reasonable and necessary under the circumstances. The defense contended that Ms. Rizalla’s constitutional rights were not violated, and that the firm and its employees were immune from liability for the claims brought against them. They further claimed that any damages should be reduced by payments the Plaintiffs received from other sources (set offs).

County Defendants' Defense: While the County's Answer was not fully detailed in the provided documents, their eventual participation in the settlement indicated a desire to resolve the claims brought against the County entity and its named deputies (Kessler, Wolverton, Rich, Radcliff, and Rodriguez).

Settlement

Before the case went to a jury trial, the Plaintiffs and several key Defendants reached a partial, confidential settlement. On June 5, 2025, the Plaintiffs' counsel filed a Status Report with the Court, confirming that a settlement had been finalized with the County of Ventura and the named county deputies: Deputy Kessler, Deputy Wolverton, Sergeant Rich, Deputy Radcliff, and SST Rodriguez.

The parties settled the claims against the County and the individual deputies for a total amount of $900,000.

Upon the delivery of the settlement draft and the execution of a release, the Plaintiffs agreed to dismiss the entire case with prejudice against these County Defendants.

Thus, the $900,000 payment resolved the liability of the County of Ventura and all its employees named in the suit, but the claims concerning the contracted medical care, negligence, and deliberate indifference against Wellpath LLC and Nurse Arellano remained active, though temporarily on hold due to the bankruptcy filing. The case concluded against the County Defendants with this financial agreement, avoiding a public jury verdict on their liability.

Court documents are available upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com