$3,115,000 Settlement in Negligent Release of Paranoid Schizophrenic Prisoner
After being arrested by California's Glendale City police, the 36 year-old chronic paranoid schizophrenic in this case was taken to the LA County Jail. Glendale police had an official written policy that they will not hospitalize mentally ill persons arrested for felonies for fear of jeopardizing criminal prosecutions. While in jail, he never saw a doctor or received anti-psychotic medication despite being delusional and hallucinating. Less than three hours after his March 1991 release, the plaintiff wandered onto a railroad track and was hit by an Amtrak train. He survived, but suffered injuries. His lawsuit alleged he did not receive proper medical care by the defendants. The City of Los Angeles settled that matter for $2,500,000 in July 1996, their healthcare provider paid $250,000 and the city of Glendale paid $400,000 in February 1997. See: Penuela v. City of Los Angles, Superior Court of the Los Angles County, Case No BC 048 487.
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Related legal case
Penuela v. City of Los Angles
| Year | 1996 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Superior Court of the Los Angles County, Case No BC 048 487 |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 3,115,000.00 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |