Inmate's Case Against County Dismissed

On Friday, June 10, 2016, the firm's Governmental Entity, Health Care Liability, and Appellate Law Teams scored a huge win for the County of Los Angeles. Judge Philip Gutierrez issued a 20 page opinion granting the firm's motion on all counts, and dismissing the case of a convicted murderer who accused the County of mistreatment.

The plaintiff's crime was that he broke into a house and murdered the home owner. The home owner, before dying, shot the criminal in the neck, resulting in paralysis from the neck down. Plaintiff claimed that, while incarcerated, the County showed deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs, in violation of the Constitution.

Bob Murphy, a senior counsel; and Monica de Leon, an associate; reviewed and analyzed 23,000+ pages of medical records, multiple times, with ever shifting allegations from counsel.  They spent four days in Stockton deposing the plaintiff in prison, where he was doing 25 to life. They also worked hard to smooth out the rough edges on some unique and potentially problematic witnesses.

Associate Kayleigh McGuiness helped Julie Fleming (who is a senior counsel) and Monica de Leon compile all the facts, and helped make sure every single plaintiff's allegation was covered and explained. The victory was a true team effort.