Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_05-cv-02233/USCOURTS-casd-3_05-cv-02233-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

FRED JOHNSON and ELIJAH

JOHNSON, minors, by and through

their mother and guardian ad litem

DeJoyce Milhouse ,

Plaintiffs,

CASE NO. 05-CV-02233-H

(WMC)

ORDER RE JUDGMENT

HEARING

vs.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, MAUREEN

PERKINS, MATT STEVENS, J.

SMITH, and DOES 1-20,

Defendants.

On June 29, 2007, a jury in the above-captioned suit found in favor of plaintiffs

Fred and Elijah Johnson (“Plaintiffs”) on their claims pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for

unlawful detention, unlawful arrest, and excessive force in violation of the Fourth

Amendment, and on their state claims for false arrest, negligence, and violation of

§ 52.1 of California’s Civil Code. The jury found in favor of defendants Lisa Jenkins

and Maureen Perkins (“Defendants”) on Plaintiffs’ claim for battery. 

On August 24, 2007, the Court held a hearing regarding the judgment in the

above-captioned case. Attorney Michael R. Marrinan appeared for Plaintiffs and San

Diego County Counsel Ricky Sanchez appeared telephonically for Defendants. The

parties disagree regarding whether plaintiff Fred Johnson’s jury award should be

Case 3:05-cv-02233-H-WMC Document 74 Filed 08/24/07 Page 1 of 2
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reduced by 25% based on the jury’s finding that 25% of Fred Johnson’s injuries was

due to his own negligence and 75% was due to Defendants’ negligence.

An intentional tortfeasor’s liability is not subject to apportionment where the

plaintiff’s injuries resulted in part from the plaintiff’s contributory negligence. See

Thomas v. Duggins Const. Co., Inc., 139 Cal. App. 4th 1105, 1112 (2006) (citing

Heiner v. Kmart Corp., 84 Cal. App. 4th 335, 348-50 (2000)); see also Quezada v.

County of Bernalillo, 944 F.2d 710, 721 (10th Cir. 1991) (comparative negligence does

not apply to damages for federal constitutional rights violations pursuant to § 1983),

overruled on other grounds by Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194 (2001); Clappier v. Flynn,

605 F.2d 519, 530 (10th Cir. 1979) (same). Therefore, the Court concludes that

plaintiff Fred Johnson’s judgment on his § 1983 claims and his state claims for false

arrest and violation of § 52.1 of California’s Civil Code should not be reduced based

on Fred Johnson’s contributory negligence, although his judgment based on his claim

for negligence should be reduced by 25%. A judgment consistent with the Court’s

conclusion shall be filed separately. 

The Court orders Plaintiff to file any request for costs with the Clerk of Court

pursuant to Civil Local Rule 54.1. Any request for attorneys’ fees, however, should be

filed with the Court. The parties should attempt to settle any dispute regarding

attorneys’ fees with Magistrate Judge McCurine before filing any motions for attorneys’

fees with the Court.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: August 24, 2007

 

MARILYN L. HUFF

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

COPIES TO:

All parties of record.

Case 3:05-cv-02233-H-WMC Document 74 Filed 08/24/07 Page 2 of 2