Case Excerpt Lecia L. Shorter, a former pre-trial detainee at the Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF), filed a lawsuit against the County of Los Angeles and its Sheriff’s Department, alleging a "culture of egregious inmate abuse." Shorter opted out of a major class-action settlement to pursue individual claims regarding approximately 19 group strip searches she endured between 2010 and 2013. She described being forced to undergo visual body cavity inspections in a cold, public bus garage while male deputies watched. In one instance, Shorter spent twelve hours handcuffed in a holding cell wearing a "spit mask" without access to food or water. The county defended the searches as necessary security measures, but eventually agreed to a $99,999 settlement to resolve the civil rights and privacy violation claims.

In Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority v. Aiguo Wu, a Santa Clara County jury returned a significant verdict in favor of a property owner facing condemnation for a public infrastructure project. The case centered on the VTA's use of eminent domain to acquire fee simple ownership, utility easements, and temporary construction easements from the defendant. While the government entity had established a right to take the property as of August 7, 2023, the parties disputed the "just compensation" owed. The jury ultimately rejected the Authority's initial valuations, awarding the landowner $551,600 for the land acquisition and a combined $57,087 for the easements. Crucially, the verdict included $668,440 in "severance damages" for the reduction in value to the remaining property and an additional $170,076 for well replacement costs, determining that the Authority's previous payment of $177,650 for the well was insufficient. The total award exceeded $1.4 million.

In a historic federal court decision in Louisiana, a jury returned a $42.75 million verdict against the private jail operator, LaSalle Corrections, Inc., for the 2015 in-custody death of Erie Moore Sr. at Richwood Correctional Center. The lawsuit, brought by Moore's children, alleged that correctional staff used excessive force and, crucially, exhibited "deliberate indifference" by failing to provide immediate and necessary medical care after the incident, a violation of Moore’s Fourteenth Amendment rights. This record-setting civil rights judgment held the corporate entity and its employees responsible for systemic failures in training and supervision, emphasizing the jury's commitment to holding the private prison industry accountable for the safety and well-being of detainees.

Juan Zamora and Geraldine Zamora sued the County of Los Angeles and Deputy Ramirez over an incident involving the Deputy's alleged excessive force. The complaint included serious claims like battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violation of the Tom Bane Civil Rights Act. The County rejected all claims, asserting the Deputy acted reasonably and was protected by immunity. After unsuccessful mediation attempts, the parties avoided a jury trial by reaching an unconditional settlement on March 15, 2024. The County finalized the legal action for $190,000.

A Los Angeles jury awarded $115 million to Alexandra Gucci Zarini in her lawsuit against Patricia Gucci and Joseph Ruffalo. Zarini alleged sexual abuse and concealment, while Defendants denied wrongdoing. The case raised awareness of child protection, accountability, and family responsibility. This summary reviews the background, claims, defenses, expert testimony, and the landmark verdict.

Eriberto Perez sued the County of San Bernardino and deputies for alleged excessive force and civil rights violations. The defense denied liability and raised multiple legal immunities. After a May 2025 jury trial, the verdict favored the defendants, with Perez awarded no damages and the County recovering costs.

Yuredli Mena, a security guard at Florida Memorial University, sued U.S. Alliance Service Corp d/b/a U.S. Security and her supervisor Courtney Francis, alleging harassment, assault, and retaliation. Despite repeated complaints, the company failed to act. After Mena obtained a restraining order, she was suspended. On June 10, 2025, a jury found in her favor and awarded $210,000 in damages for emotional, physical, and financial harm.

High Society Management, LLC prevailed in a multi-claim lawsuit against Pro Airways, LLC and its principal, Ryan Staszko, over unauthorized credit card charges and contract violations. The dispute stemmed from a terminated aircraft management agreement and charges made on a company card months after contract expiration. On January 29, 2025, a Miami-Dade jury found Pro Airways liable for conversion, civil theft, breach of contract, and FDUTPA violations, awarding more than $300,000 in total damages. The jury also found Staszko personally liable for breaching fiduciary duties and committing constructive fraud.

Jury finds jail officials liable for inmate suicide; $4M awarded to estate, total liability expected to reach $7M.