Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_02-cv-02488/USCOURTS-caed-2_02-cv-02488-18/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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STIIPULATION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF MINORS’ COMPROMISE; ORDER 1

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LAW OFFICE OF STEWART KATZ

STEWART KATZ, State Bar #127425 

JOSEPH D. ELFORD, State Bar #189934 

555 University Avenue, Suite 270 

Sacramento, California 95825 

Telephone: (916) 444-5678 

Attorneys for Plaintiffs 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

Estate of JOSE ELIZAR ARAMBULA, deceased, 

by and through ELIAS ARAMBULA and 

ANDREW ARAMBULA, minors through their 

mother and guardian ad litem Irma Rodriguez, as 

successors in interest; ELIAS ARAMBULA and 

ANDREW ARAMBULA, Individually; SOCORRO 

ARAMBULA, Individually; and AUSENCIO 

ARAMBULA, Individually; 

 Plaintiffs, 

 vs. 

JUDITH JOHNSON; and NANCY HARNETT, 

 Defendants, 

_______________________________________/ 

No. CIV S-02-2488 FCD JFM 

(Consolidated Action) 

STIPULATION OF 

PARTIES REQUESTING 

COURT APPROVAL OF 

SETTLEMENT OF 

MINOR’S CLAIMS; 

ORDER 

 

 

 PURSUANT TO LOCAL RULE 17-202, the parties to the above-referenced action 

by and through their undersigned attorneys hereby stipulate and respectfully request the 

Court to approve the settlement of the minors’ claims in this matter on the reasons set forth 

below. 

 /// 

/// 

/// 

Case 2:02-cv-02488-FCD-JFM Document 284 Filed 10/09/07 Page 1 of 9
STIIPULATION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF MINORS’ COMPROMISE; ORDER 2

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BASIS FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT 

OR COMPROMISE OF MINOR'S CLAIM 

 The above referenced case involves Plaintiffs ELIAS and ANDREW 

ARAMBULA, who are the minor sons of the decedent JOSE ELIZAR ARAMBULA. 

 The above-referenced matter was part of a consolidated civil rights action brought 

under 42 U.S.C. section 1983, with supplemental state law claims, on behalf of three 

decedents who committed suicide at the Sacramento County Main Jail. The consolidated 

civil rights action was brought against County of Sacramento Defendants and Regents of 

the University of California employee Defendants. In the consolidated action, Plaintiffs 

claimed that the various municipal actors/defendants caused the wrongful deaths of the 

decedents because defendants were deliberately indifferent to the needs of the three 

inmates. 

 The actions proceeded through discovery and law motion. Following Motions for 

Summary Judgment and/or Adjudication by the Defendants, this Court issued an Order, on 

or about December 13, 2005, dismissing the County Defendants in the ARAMBULA 

action. Accordingly, that action only proceeded against the Regents of the University of 

California employee Defendants. 

 After the Summary Judgment Order, the parties continued trial preparation and 

concluded discovery. The cases were to be tried separately. ARAMBULA was scheduled to 

be the first of the cases to go to trial. On the eve of the ARAMBULA trial, following 

extensive negotiations by the parties and a Court ordered Settlement Conference, the 

parties settled globally all of the matters in the consolidated action. 

 This Motion seeks approval of the Settlement as it applies to the minor Plaintiffs in 

the ARAMBULA matter. 

1. Minors’ names: ANDREW ARAMBULA; ELIAS ARAMBULA 

2. Age/Sex of Minors: ANDREW ARAMBULA is a ten year old male, DOB 

10/21/1996; ELIAS ARAMBULA is a twelve year old male, DOB 2/11/1995. 

3. Causes of Action: The causes of action to be settled in this case on behalf of the 

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STIIPULATION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF MINORS’ COMPROMISE; ORDER 3

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minors involve both federal and state law claims alleged against the Regents of University 

of California employee Defendants – Defendants JUDITH JOHNSON and NANCY 

HARNETT. Specifically, following the Summary Judgment Order, the claims that 

remained included Plaintiffs’ claim under 42 U.S.C. section 1983 against Defendants 

JOHNSON and HARNETT for violation of Plaintiffs’ substantive due process rights, and 

Plaintiffs’ state law claims against Defendant HARNETT for violation of California 

Government Code section 856 (failure to summon medical care) and professional/medical 

malpractice. In sum, the minor Plaintiffs allege that Defendants JOHNSON and 

HARNETT failed to take appropriate measures to prevent the suicide of decedent JOSE 

ELIZAR ARAMBULA. 

4. Factual Basis: 

The Court is well-acquainted with the facts of this case from the summary judgment

motions in this case, the other pretrial motions, and the in limine motion(s). 

 ARAMBULA was transferred to the Sacramento County Main Jail from the prison 

CDC Solano on February 21, 2001. Upon his arrival, the jail was made aware that 

ARAMBULA had a history of psychiatric issues and suicide attempts. 

 The mental health workers at the Jail are part of Jail Psychiatry Services (JPS), 

which was run by Defendant JOHNSON. The mental health services at the Sacramento 

County Main Jail were provided by contract by the University of California Davis through 

an entity known as Jail Psychiatric Services (JPS). JUDITH JOHNSON was the director of 

that program and the immediate supervisor of NANCY HARNETT, the social worker who 

saw ARAMBULA on the day of his death. 

 In March and April 2003, JPS psychiatrists conducted evaluations of ARAMBULA. 

The psychiatrists noted ARAMBULA’s history of suicide attempts and delusions, and 

found that ARAMBULA was psychotic and continued his antipsychotic medication at a 

low dosage. 

 On July 24, 2004, ARAMBULA flooded his cell and engaged in erratic behavior, 

including having an animated conversation with himself and banging his head into a sliding 

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STIIPULATION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF MINORS’ COMPROMISE; ORDER 4

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glass door. JPS staff was contacted by County personnel (custodial and medical) to 

evaluate ARAMBULA. 

 Defendant HARNETT, an unlicensed social worker, interviewed ARAMBULA for 

approximately ten minutes and told custody staff that there was no need for any precautions 

and indicated that ARAMBULA was “whiney.” 

 ARAMBULA was then placed back in his cell where he remained for 

approximately four hours until he was found hanging. 

 Plaintiffs further alleged that HARNETT had a history of indifference and that 

JOHNSON was aware of that history and failed to take appropriate actions. 

5. Extent of Injuries: The minor Plaintiffs’ injuries in this action are emotional 

injuries resulting from the loss of the love and support of their father. 

6. Compromise determination: As noted above, the parties reached a 

settlement globally in the consolidated civil rights action following extensive negotiations 

and a Court ordered Settlement Conference. A global settlement was reached because all 

the Plaintiffs sought both closure and to avoid the uncertainties of trial (as to both liability 

and damages), and the defendants had greater incentive to settle all three rather than settle 

one case they were involved in and still go to trial on the related claims. The actions and 

claims were vigorously contested by the Defendants. However, part of their motivation to 

settle globally was a recognition that the costs of both that defense and the potential costs 

of an attorney fee award should at least one of the Plaintiffs prevail, which was likely but 

hardly a certainty. 

 While there were a number of strong points in the ARAMBULA case, particularly 

regarding HARNETT’s licensing, the apparent failure to review available records, and 

JOHNSON’s knowledge and response to these deficiencies, there were also a number of 

issues and possible outcomes which strongly encouraged Plaintiffs to opt for the certainty 

of settlement. The causal link between the suicide and any malfeasance was an issue which 

would have been a battle of experts. One of the Plaintiff’s experts’ opinion was potentially 

problematic in that the summary judgment order was partially at significant odds with his 

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STIIPULATION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF MINORS’ COMPROMISE; ORDER 5

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allocation of responsibility. While there were voluminous mental health records, there 

were some significant inconsistencies within those records. Additionally, several deputies 

and at least one other inmate were going to testify that ARAMBULA did not give any 

indications of being suicidal after HARNETT saw him and that he seemed in a good mental 

condition after her visit and before his suicide. The damages in the case were potentially 

limited should Plaintiffs only prevail on state law claims by MICRA and the custodial and 

immigration status of the ARAMBULA parents essentially eliminated any claims regarding 

lost financial support. More importantly is the economic status of the children who live 

with their single mother who is a nursing student. The proposed settlement in this case will 

help meet their present needs and significantly improve their prospects to lead productive 

lives. 

 The consolidated civil rights action resolved globally for a total current value of 

$1,000,000.00 with the understanding that the ARAMBULA children’s portion would be 

paid through a structured settlement so that the amount actually paid will be closer to 

$1,060,000.00, and further that Irma Rodriguez will be reimbursed for her lost travel 

expenses related to the trial continuation on November 17, 2006. The allocation of the 

global settlement is broken down as follows: $250,000.00 current value to be paid to the 

ARAMBULA Plaintiffs, $150,000.00 to the Abdollahi Plaintiff, $100,000.00 to the 

Summers Plaintiff, and $500,000.00 in fees/costs. These figures were arrived at by 

weighing the relative strengths of the cases in terms of liability and damages. These figures 

were further broken down so that the County of Sacramento agreed to pay $450,000.00 

which included: the Summers settlement of $100,000.00; $100,000.00 of the Abdollahi 

settlement; and $250,000.00 in fees/costs. The University of California Regents agreed to 

pay $550,000.00: $75,000.00 towards Abdollahi (with $50,000.00 allocated to Sina 

Abdollahi and $25,000.00 in fees/costs) and $275,000.00 toward settlement of 

ARAMBULA ($50,000 to be paid jointly to the parents ARAMBULA, Plaintiffs Soccorro 

and Ausencio Arambula, and $225,000.00 in fees/costs) plus the purchase annuities for 

each of the minor children, Andrew and Elias Arambula. The cost and present value of the 

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STIIPULATION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF MINORS’ COMPROMISE; ORDER 6

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structured settlement/annuitity for each minor Plaintiff in this matter is $100,000.00. 

 Because of the different administrative requirements of the varying Defendants, the 

action settled globally but there is no single settlement agreement signed by all parties. A 

copy of the settlement and release as to the ARAMBULA claims is attached as Exhibit 1. 

The attached Settlement Agreement and Release is for the minor Plaintiffs, as well as the 

wife and parents of ARAMBULA. It is signed by Irma Rodriguez, the mother of the minor 

children, who is designated the guardian ad litem in this matter. 

 The schedule of payments was crafted to both help meet the immediate needs of the 

children who live with their mother who is a full-time nursing student and also provide the 

children with the opportunity to be financially able to obtain a college or advanced 

vocational education. 

A. Structured Settlement Terms. 

 1. For Elias Arambula: 

• $700.00 payable monthly, beginning November 1, 2007, for 2 years, 4 

months certain only. Last guaranteed payment is due February 1, 2010; 

• $300.00 payable monthly, beginning March 1, 2010, for 3 years certain 

only. Last guaranteed payment is due February 1, 2013; 

• $11,525.00 payable on August 1, 2013; 

• $11,525.00 payable on January 1, 2014; 

• $11,525.00 payable on August 1, 2014; 

• $11,525.00 payable on January 1, 2015; 

• $11,525.00 payable on August 1, 2015; 

• $11,525.00 payable on January 1, 2016; 

• $11,525.00 payable on August 1, 2016; 

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STIIPULATION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF MINORS’ COMPROMISE; ORDER 7

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• $11,525.00 payable on January 1, 2017; 

• $12,330.95 payable on February 11, 2020. 

2. For Andrew Arambula: 

• $700.00 payable monthly, beginning November 1, 2007, for 4 years certain 

only. Last guaranteed payment is due October 1, 2011; 

• $300.00 payable monthly, beginning November 1, 2011, for 3 years certain 

only. Last guaranteed payment is due October 1, 2014; 

• $10,210.00 payable on August 1, 2014; 

• $10,210.00 payable on January 1, 2015; 

• $10,210.00 payable on August 1, 2015; 

• $10,210.00 payable on January 1, 2016; 

• $10,210.00 payable on August 1, 2016; 

• $10,210.00 payable on January 1, 2017; 

• $10,210.00 payable on August 1, 2017; 

• $10,210.00 payable on January 1, 2018; 

• 11,063.87 payable on October 21, 2021. 

 The above payments for Elias and Andrew Arambula will be made to the guardian 

of the estate of the child during the minority of the children and will be utilized for the 

children’s health and well-being. As noted above, the present day value of the structured 

settlements is $100,000.00 for each minor Plaintiff. The actual payouts are $134,930.95 for 

ELIAS ARAMBULA and $137,143.87 for ANDREW ARAMBULA. 

B. Attorney’s Fees and Costs. 

 Plaintiffs' attorney, Stewart Katz, was hired by Plaintiffs through their guardian ad 

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STIIPULATION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF MINORS’ COMPROMISE; ORDER 8

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litem. Plaintiffs’ attorney and associates were retained prior to filing of this action and 

have handled this case throughout these proceedings. As noted above, this matter was part 

of a consolidated civil rights action dealing with the Jail Suicides at the Sacramento County 

Main Jail. Since these matters were consolidated from the onset it is difficult if not 

impossible (with the exception of filing fees and individual decedent records) to discern 

which costs and fees applied to each of the matters. Additionally, as the Court has 

recognized by the consolidation order, the discovery in this case regularly applied to all of 

the matters. Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ counsel has attached as Exhibit 2 the costs associated 

with the consolidated civil rights action. Those costs equal $ 90,603.00. 

 In addition to the costs, counsel’s office spent over 2,900 hours prosecuting the civil 

rights action. Based on hourly rates of $350.00 (2156 hours) for Stewart Katz, $375.00 

(103 hours) for Joseph Elford, $250.00 (297 hours) for Costa Kerestenzis, $150.00 (380 

hours) for Elizabeth Dankof plus contracted paralegals paid $3,120.00, the attorney’s fees 

for the consolidated civil rights action totaled $927,595.00. 

 Finally, Plaintiffs’ counsel notes that the amount of the settlement for fees and costs 

is appropriate as it has been approved by the guardian ad litem for the minors, and given 

the risk taken by Plaintiffs’ counsel to prosecute this matter. The consolidated civil rights 

action monopolized counsel’s office, a small office usually staffed only by Stewart Katz 

and a single associate, for the last four years in terms of resources and time. Counsel took 

the matters on a contingency basis and advanced all fees and costs and thus went unpaid 

during the prosecution of this action. 

 Moreover, the ARAMBULA case involved more time and resources than either of 

the other two cases given that this case was fully prepared for trial and that the experts had 

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STIIPULATION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF MINORS’ COMPROMISE; ORDER 9

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voluminous medical and mental health records to review which were specific to 

ARAMBULA . 

Dated: October 5, 2007 LAW OFFICE OF STEWART KATZ 

 _____/s/ Stewart Katz___________________ 

 STEWART KATZ, 

 Attorney for Plaintiffs 

Dated: October 5, 2007 WILKE, FLEURY, HOFFELT, GOULD & 

BIRNEY LLP 

____/s/ Robert Tyler____________________ 

 ROBERT F. TYLER 

 Attorney for Defendants 

IT IS SO ORDERED: 

Dated: October 9, 2007 

Case 2:02-cv-02488-FCD-JFM Document 284 Filed 10/09/07 Page 9 of 9