Opinion ID: 766396
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Other Grounds for Appeal

Text: 100 New York law provides absolute immunity for state and local employees when they perform discretionary, as opposed to ministerial, functions. See, e.g., Tango v. Tulevech, 61 N.Y.2d 34, 40 (1983). This protection extends to the state itself as well as its subdivisions. See Arteaga v. State, 72 N.Y.2d 212, 216 (1988). The district court dismissed the Tenenbaums' various state-law claims -- all based on the CWA's removal and physical examination of Sarah -- on the ground that James' and Williams' actions were discretionary and that absolute immunity was appropriate. Tenenbaum I, 862 F. Supp. at 981. We agree and affirm on this portion of the cross-appeal.
101 The Tenenbaums assert that the district court's award of $15,000 to Sarah and $1.00 each to Mr. and Mrs. Tenenbaum is inadequate compensation for the constitutional violations they suffered. The damage award was peculiarly within the discretion of the trial judge. See Knitwaves, Inc. v. Lollytogs Ltd., 71 F.3d 996, 1012 (2d Cir. 1995). His ability to judge the credibility of the witnesses and to assess based on their testimony the extent of their largely psychological injury cannot effectively be reviewed on appeal. See United States v. Davis, 967 F.2d 84, 86 (2d Cir.) (trial court is in a unique position to evaluate witnesses' credibility.), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 928, 113 S.Ct. 356,121 L.Ed.2d 270 (1992). We find nothing in the record to persuade us that the district court's findings in this regard were clearly erroneous. Of course the court may make an additional award should the Tenenbaums prevail on the claims that we remand for trial.