Rodney Sawyer v. City of Los Angeles, Officer Alvaro Navarro, Officer Luis Bonilla, Doe Officer, and Does 1 through 50, inclusive
Published: Oct. 19, 2013 | Result Date: Aug. 9, 2013 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 2:12-cv-10819-SVW-JC Verdict – $300,000
Court
USDC Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Rodney S. Diggs
(Ivie, McNeill, Wyatt, Purcell & Diggs)
Defendant
Elizabeth A. Mitchell
(Patterson Law Group)
Facts
On Dec. 6, 2011, Rodney Sawyer moved his car from one side of the street to the other due to the scheduled street cleaning. He proceeded to walk to his other car to retrieve his tools when Los Angeles Police Officers Alvaro Navarro and Luis Bonilla pulled up next to him. They began asking him questions, which eventually led to Sawyer's detention. Sawyer sued the officers, and the City of Los Angeles alleging civil rights violations due to the officers' use of excessive and unnecessary force.
Contentions
PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff contended that the police officers racially profiled him and erroneously suspected plaintiff of attempting to steal the vehicles registered to him. After engaging in some questioning, the officers then grabbed, handcuffed, and searched him without telling him why he was being detained. Plaintiff contended that the excessive force used in detaining him caused the officers to tear the ligaments in his right shoulder and wrist.
Injuries
Sawyer suffered injuries to his right shoulder and wrist, which require orthoscopic surgery.
Result
A federal jury awarded Sawyer $300,000, including punitive damages.
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