Confidential
Settlement – $350,000Judge
Court
USDC Southern District of California
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Joseph Rowan
(technical)
Defendant
Bonnie Norman
(technical)
Facts
On November 2, 1992, a 63-year-old Laotian homemaker was arrested for killing her husband while experiencing a psychotic delusion. She then drank bleach and jumped out a 2-story window in a suicide attempt. She was arrested and taken to the hospital, where she again attempted suicide. She was transferred to a county geriatric hospital while her broken feet healed. On January 14, 1993, the geriatric hospital received a transfer order from the sheriff's department ordering her immediate transfer to the Defendant county's facility for women's detention, pending trial. Plaintiffs' decedent was crying, whimpering, and moaning when brought to the jail. A guard who spoke Laotian allegedly told sheriff's deputies that this inmate had told him that she was going to try to kill herself in the jail. She was placed in the infirmary, as the jail has no on-site psychiatric security unit for women inmates (although there is such a facility for male inmates). The next day, at approximately noon, this female inmate was found hanging from a shower rod. The Plaintiffs were the decedent's adult sons, nephews, and one minor son.
Settlement Discussions
Defendants contend that Plaintiff's early demand was $700,000.
Injuries
Death of mother/aunt.
Other Information
Plaintiffs' attorneys obtained a $1,900,000 settlement against the same jail facility, three years ago; that case involved a Korean woman who had stabbed her son and had been in the facility for over one month when she committed suicide. This case was filed on January 14, 1994; one year, nine months and two weeks prior to this result.
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
jeremy@reprintpros.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390