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Civil Rights
Police Misconduct
Excessive Force

Laura Rooney v. City of Newport Beach, Spencer Arnold, Tim Stewart, Troy Long

Published: Apr. 29, 2000 | Result Date: Mar. 30, 2000 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 798936 Verdict –  $0

Judge

Barbara Tam Nomoto-Schumann

Court

Orange Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Joseph M. Barrett
(The Barrett Lawyers, APC)

Garo Mardirossian
(Mardirossian & Associates Inc.)


Defendant

Bruce D. Praet
(Ferguson, Praet & Sherman APC)


Experts

Plaintiff

Donald E. Reierson
(technical)

Neil D. Kravetz
(medical)

Defendant

David C. Smith
(Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP) (medical)

George T. Williams
(technical)

Facts

On Sept. 2, 1997, after pre-booking at Newport Beach Jail on cocaine charges, plaintiff Laura Rooney, a 51-year-old musician, struggled with officers during handcuffing. During the struggle, her left humerus was fractured.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff demanded $149,000 before trial. The defendant made a C.C.P. Section 998 offer of $139,000 before trial.

Specials in Evidence

$75,000 $150,000 $400,000 $150,000

Damages

$500,000 (pain and suffering)

Injuries

The plaintiff suffered a spinal fracture of the left humerus, and radial nerve palsy.

Deliberation

five hours

Poll

9-3

Length

12 days


#80611

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