Facts

On Dec. 29, 2005, plaintiff, a 71-year-old veteran, claimed he was brutally attacked, restrained and abused while held in custody in the Santa Clara County Jail. Plaintiff sued the county, Chief of Corrections Edward Flores, and other corrections officers for violations of his civil rights and excessive force.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff's counsel contended that corrections officers slammed plaintiff to the ground, gouged his eyes, punched and kicked him in the torso and face and forced him into a restraint chair. Plaintiff was denied his medications for three days, and claimed that the officers spilled his medicine on the floor.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defense counsel contended that plaintiff was uncooperative during intake and tried to grab a correction officer's arms while being fingerprinted. Defense counsel further contended officers followed proper procedure in restraining plaintiff, diffusing a potentially violent situation. Several officers were injured and sustained injuries in the effort to restrain plaintiff.

Injuries

Plaintiff claimed inferior orbital fracture, temporarily impaired vision, a fractured nose, and acute shoulder strain. He also claimed severe emotional distress and chronic back pain aggravated from the attack. Defendants denied that plaintiff's injuries beyond his facial fracture were from the county jail incident.

Result

County of Santa Clara settled with Rucker for $185,000.