Case: Mayfield v. Orozco

2:13-cv-02499 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Filed Date: Dec. 3, 2013

Closed Date: 2017

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Case Summary

On December 3, 2013, a pre-trial detainee in the Sacramento County Jail filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. The plaintiff sued the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, an individual officer in the Sheriff's Department, the County of Sacramento, the University of California, and the University of California Health System (UCDHS) under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and state law. Represented by private counsel, the plaintiff sought monetary relief, claiming violations of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the US Constitution. Specifically, the plaintiff attempted to commit suicide while he was a pre-trial detainee in the jail and suffered a spinal injury that left him paralyzed and cognitively impaired for the rest of his life. Prior to the suicide attempt, the plaintiff had also been assaulted by Jail correctional officers and sexually assaulted by other inmates. The plaintiff alleged that despite knowledge his history of assaults and mental illness, the defendants failed to provide him with appropriate mental health care and failed to take adequate steps to protect him from harm.

The University of California moved to dismiss the complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and failure to state claims upon which relief can be granted. On September 10, 2015, Judge John A. Mendez granted in part and denied in part the defendant's motion to dismiss. Judge Mendez held that the University is an arm of the state and immune from state law claims in federal court. Judge Mendez also struck the plaintiff's prayer for restitution and punitive damages against UCHDS.

On June 20, 2016, the plaintiffs filed a fourth amended complaint so as to state claims previously asserted by a plaintiff who had died through the conservator of his estate and to dismiss an individual defendant from the case.

In November 2016, the defendants filed three separate motions for summary judgment: one by the University of California and UCDHS, one by the individual officer in the Sheriff's Department, and one by the County of Sacramento and county officials. Around the same time, the plaintiffs filed a motion for sanctions and reasonable expenses.

On March 31, 2017, the Court issued decisions on the remaining motions for summary judgment, granting in part and denying in part each of the defendants' motions.

Shortly before the Court issued its decisions on the motions for summary judgment, however, the University of California, UCDHS, and two doctors filed a notice of settlement with the court. Those defendants agreed to pay the plaintiffs $2,500,000 in exchange for a general release and dismissal of this action with prejudice. However, this settlement proposal was withdrawn pending perfection of another more expansive settlement agreement.

On the first day of trial, May 1, 2017, a plaintiff raised a Batson motion during jury selection after the defense counsel used peremptory challenges to strike the only two prospective black jurors in the jury venire. Judge Mendez granted the plaintiff's motion, finding that the defense counsel's race-neutral explanations for striking the two jurors were pretextual. By May 8, 2017, however, the parties reported that they had reached a global settlement agreement and the remainder of the jury trial was vacated.

On August 29, 2017, the parties sought court approval of their settlement agreement. The parties agreed to a universal settlement of $5,000,000 to resolve all claims in the case. The plaintiff would receive 85% of the total settlement and his parents would receive the remaining 15%. Based on their agreement at the start of representation, plaintiffs' counsel will receive $2,000,000 in attorneys' fees, which is 40% of the total settlement.

On November 6, 2017, Judge Mendez approved the settlement agreement with some alterations. Instead of receiving 15% of the total recovery, the plaintiffs' parents would only receive 5%. Plaintiff's counsel received 40% of the total recovery, as well as $388,721.34 in costs. The case was voluntarily dismissed on December 27, 2017.

	Document
2:13-cv-02499	Docket [PACER]	Sept. 27, 2018	Sept. 27, 2018 Docket
1 2:13-cv-02499	Complaint for Civil Rights Violation; Demand for Jury Trial U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California	Dec. 3, 2013	Dec. 3, 2013 Complaint
42 2:13-cv-02499	Notice of Motions and Motions: A. To Dismiss for lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction (FRCP 12(b)(1)); B. Failure to State Claims Upon Which Relief Can Be Granted (FRCP 12(b)(6); and C. To Strike Portions of Plaintiffs' Second Amended Complaint (FRCP 12(f))	April 20, 2015	April 20, 2015 Pleading / Motion / Brief
57 2:13-cv-02499	Third Amended Complaint for Damages; Demand for Jury Trial	May 15, 2015	May 15, 2015 Complaint
106 2:13-cv-02499	Fourth Amended Complaint U.S. District Court for the Central District of California	June 20, 2016	June 20, 2016 Complaint
399 2:13-cv-02499	Order U.S. District Court for the Central District of California	Nov. 6, 2017	Nov. 6, 2017 Order/Opinion

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against all defendants by James J. Mayfield. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Michel, G) (Entered: 12/03/2013) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER	Dec. 3, 2013	Dec. 3, 2013 PACER
2	MOTION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS by James J. Mayfield. (Michel, G) (Entered: 12/03/2013)	Dec. 3, 2013	Dec. 3, 2013 PACER
	APPLICATION TO PROCEED IFP filed - Action Required. (Michel, G)	Dec. 3, 2013	Dec. 3, 2013 PACER
3	ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Allison Claire on 12/31/13 ORDERING that Plaintiff's 2 Motion to Proceed IFP is GRANTED; The Clerk of the Court shall send plaintiff one USM-285 form for each defendant, one summons, a copy of the complaint, an appropriate form for consent to trial by a magistrate judge,and this court's status order. The Clerk is further directed to serve a copy of this order on the USM. Within 15 days Plaintiff shall submit service documents to the USM and file a statement with the court that said documents have been submitted. (cc: USM). (Becknal, R)	Jan. 2, 2014	Jan. 2, 2014 RECAP
4	SUMMONS ISSUED as to County of Sacramento, Ivan Orozco with answer to complaint due within 21 days. Attorney James J. Mayfield, Pro Se 4401 Burr Court Tracy, CA 95377. (Becknal, R) (Entered: 01/02/2014)	Jan. 2, 2014	Jan. 2, 2014 PACER
5	CIVIL NEW CASE DOCUMENTS ISSUED Initial Scheduling Conference set for 6/4/2014 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 26 (AC) before Magistrate Judge Allison Claire. (Attachments: # 1 Consent Form) (Becknal, R) (Entered: 01/02/2014) 1 Consent Form View on PACER	Jan. 2, 2014	Jan. 2, 2014 PACER
	SERVICE BY MAIL: 3 4 5 Order, USM-285 forms, Summons and New Case Documents served on James J. Mayfield. (Becknal, R)	Jan. 2, 2014	Jan. 2, 2014 PACER
6	FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT against County of Sacramento, Ivan Orozco, Scott Jones, James Lewis, Rick Pattison by James J. Mayfield.(Mena-Sanchez, L) (Entered: 03/26/2014)	March 26, 2014	March 26, 2014 PACER
7	SUMMONS ISSUED as to County of Sacramento, Scott Jones, James Lewis, Ivan Orozco, Rick Pattison with answer to complaint due within 21 days. Attorney James J. Mayfield 4401 Burr Court Tracy, CA 95377. (Mena-Sanchez, L) (Entered: 03/26/2014)	March 26, 2014	March 26, 2014 PACER
8	PROOF OF SERVICE EXECUTED: County of Sacramento, Scott Jones, James Lewis, Ivan Orozco, Rick Pattison served on 3/26/2014. (Meuleman, A) Modified on 4/8/2014 (Meuleman, A). (Entered: 04/08/2014)	April 7, 2014	April 7, 2014 PACER
9	ANSWER to 6 First Amended Complaint, with Jury Demand, by County of Sacramento, Scott Jones, James Lewis, Rick Pattison. Attorney Longyear, Dayton Van Vranken ADDED. (Longyear, Dayton) Modified on 4/18/2014 (Michel, G). (Entered: 04/17/2014)	April 17, 2014	April 17, 2014 PACER
10	MINUTE ORDER: (Text Only) re 5 Civil New Case Documents for JAM. In light of the parties' failure to file status reports prior to the June 4, 2014 Initial Scheduling Conference, this conference is hereby continued to August 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom No. 26. The parties are directed to refer to the Court's January 2, 2014 Order Setting Status Conference (ECF No. 5) for a list of matters to be addressed in the status reports. These reports are to be filed no later than July 23, 2014. Failure to file a status report may result in sanctions. (Callen, V) (Entered: 05/30/2014)	May 30, 2014	May 30, 2014 PACER
	SERVICE BY MAIL: 10 Minute Order,, served on James J. Mayfield. (Callen, V)	May 30, 2014	May 30, 2014 PACER
11	MOTION to CONTINUE Scheduling Conference by James J. Mayfield. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Proof of Service)(Meuleman, A) (Entered: 06/03/2014) 1 Declaration View on PACER 2 Proof of Service View on PACER	June 2, 2014	June 2, 2014 PACER
12	MINUTE ORDER: (Text Only) re 11 Motion to Continue. In light of the May 30, 2014 Minute Order this matter is hereby continued to August 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. before Magistrate Judge Allison Claire. The Plaintiff's Motion to Continue [ECF No. 11] is moot given the fact that this hearing has already been continued. (Callen, V) (Entered: 06/03/2014)	June 3, 2014	June 3, 2014 PACER
	SERVICE BY MAIL: 12 Minute Order, served on James J. Mayfield. (Callen, V)	June 3, 2014	June 3, 2014 PACER
13	NOTICE of APPEARANCE by Michael Bien on behalf of James J. Mayfield. Attorney Bien, Michael added. (Bien, Michael) (Entered: 07/14/2014)	July 14, 2014	July 14, 2014 PACER
14	ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Allison Claire on 7/15/14 ORDERING that this matter is referred back to the District Judge assigned to this action; and all dates pending before the undersigned, including the 8/6/14 initial scheduling conference, are vacated. (Becknal, R)	July 15, 2014	July 15, 2014 RECAP
15	MINUTE ORDER (Text Only) issued by Relief Courtroom Deputy J. Streeter for Judge John A. Mendez on 07/15/2014: In light of Magistrate Judge Allison Claire's Order 14 refering this matter back to the district judge, the parties are instructed to file a Joint Status Report not later than August 15, 2014.(Streeter, J) (Entered: 07/15/2014)	July 15, 2014	July 15, 2014 PACER
16	ANSWER to 1 Complaint with Jury Demand by Ivan Orozco. Attorney Cassidy, Terence John ADDED. (Cassidy, Terence) Modified on 7/31/2014 (Michel, G). (Entered: 07/31/2014)	July 31, 2014	July 31, 2014 PACER
17	MOTION to WITHDRAW as ATTORNEY re: Michael W. Bien, Ernest Galvan, Aaron J. Fischer, and Michael Millen and for Extension of Time to File Joint Status Report by James J. Mayfield. Motion Hearing set for 9/17/2014 at 09:30 AM in Courtroom 6 (JAM) before Judge John A. Mendez. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Michael Millen, # 2 Proposed Order)(Bien, Michael) (Entered: 08/01/2014) 1 Declaration of Michael Millen View on PACER 2 Proposed Order View on PACER	Aug. 1, 2014	Aug. 1, 2014 PACER
18	NOTICE of Request to Seal Document(s) pursuant to L.R. 141 by James J. Mayfield. (Bien, Michael) (Entered: 08/01/2014)	Aug. 1, 2014	Aug. 1, 2014 PACER
19	SEALED EVENT (Michel, G) (Entered: 08/01/2014)	Aug. 1, 2014	Aug. 1, 2014 PACER
20	SEALED EVENT (Michel, G) (Entered: 08/01/2014)	Aug. 1, 2014	Aug. 1, 2014 PACER
21	SEALED EVENT (Michel, G) (Entered: 08/01/2014)	Aug. 1, 2014	Aug. 1, 2014 PACER
23	MINUTE ORDER: In view of the pending motion to withdraw as counsel 17 set for hearing on September 17, 2014, the Courts minute order 15 requiring the parties to file a joint status report by August 15, 2014 is ordered vacated. (TEXT ENTRY ONLY (Vine, H) (Entered: 08/12/2014)	Aug. 12, 2014	Aug. 12, 2014 PACER
24	MINUTES (Text Only) for proceedings held before Judge John A. Mendez: MOTION HEARING held on 9/17/2014 ; granting 17 Motion to Withdraw as Attorney. Court has permitted plaintiff (90) NINETY days (12/19/2014) to secure new counsel. If this is not accomplished, the matter will be referred to Magistrate Judge Claire pursuant to Local Rule. Plaintiffs Counsel A. Fischer; M. Millen present. Defendants Counsel K. Hall; P. Zilaff present. Court Reporter: K. Bennett. (Vine, H) (Entered: 09/17/2014)	Sept. 17, 2014	Sept. 17, 2014 PACER
25	ORDER signed by Judge John A. Mendez on 9/17/2014 GRANTING plaintiff's 17 Motion to Withdraw. Attorneys Ernest Galvan, Michael D Millen, Michael Bien, and Aaron Joseph Fischer are WITHDRAWN as counsel of record. The time for parties to submit Joint Status Report is EXTENDED to 11/13/2014. (Marciel, M)	Sept. 18, 2014	Sept. 18, 2014 RECAP
26	PROPOSED ORDER requesting extension of time to submit Joint Status Report by defendants. (Longyear, Dayton) Modified on 11/6/2014 (Marciel, M) (Entered: 11/05/2014)	Nov. 5, 2014	Nov. 5, 2014 PACER
27	ORDER signed by Judge John A. Mendez on 11/5/14 ORDERING that the deadline for filing a Joint Status Conference is CONTINUED to 2/17/2015. (Mena-Sanchez, L)	Nov. 6, 2014	Nov. 6, 2014 RECAP
	SERVICE BY MAIL: 27 Order, served on James J. Mayfield. (Mena-Sanchez, L)	Nov. 13, 2014	Nov. 13, 2014 PACER
	SERVICE BY MAIL: 25 Order granting Motion for Withdrawal of Counsel served on plaintiff James J. Mayfield. (Marciel, M)	Nov. 13, 2014	Nov. 13, 2014 PACER
28	NOTICE of APPEARANCE by Lori Rifkin on behalf of James J. Mayfield. Attorney Rifkin, Lori added. (Rifkin, Lori) (Entered: 12/18/2014)	Dec. 18, 2014	Dec. 18, 2014 PACER
29	STIPULATION and PROPOSED ORDER extending time to submit Joint Status Report by defendants. (Longyear, Dayton) Modified on 2/18/2015 (Marciel, M) (Entered: 02/17/2015)	Feb. 17, 2015	Feb. 17, 2015 PACER
30	ORDER signed by Judge John A. Mendez on 2/17/15: The time for the Parties to file the Joint Status Report be, and hereby is, extended to April 17, 2015. (Kaminski, H)	Feb. 18, 2015	Feb. 18, 2015 RECAP
31	NOTICE of APPEARANCE by Barbara Enloe Hadsell on behalf of James J. Mayfield. Attorney Hadsell, Barbara Enloe added. (Hadsell, Barbara) (Entered: 03/13/2015)	March 13, 2015	March 13, 2015 PACER
32	STIPULATION and PROPOSED ORDER for plaintiff to file Second Amended Complaint by James J. Mayfield. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit - Second Amended Complaint, # 2 Proposed Order) (Hadsell, Barbara) Modified on 3/20/2015 (Marciel, M) (Entered: 03/18/2015) 1 Exhibit - Second Amended Complaint View on PACER 2 Proposed Order View on PACER	March 18, 2015	March 18, 2015 PACER
33	ORDER signed by Judge John A. Mendez on 3/18/2015 GRANTING 32 Stipulation to file second amended complaint. The Second Amended Complaint, attached as Exhibit A to the Stipulation, is deemed filed as of this date. Defendants shall have twenty-one calendar days to file a Response to the Second Amended Complaint. (Zignago, K.)	March 19, 2015	March 19, 2015 RECAP
34	SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT against all Defendants by James J. Mayfield. (Zignago, K.) (Entered: 03/19/2015)	March 19, 2015	March 19, 2015 PACER
35	SUMMONS ISSUED as to Regents of the University of California, Gregory Sokolov with answer to complaint due within 21 days. Attorney Barbara Enloe Hadsell Hadsell Stormer & Renick LLP 128 N. Fair Oaks Avenue Pasadena, CA 91103. (Zignago, K.) (Entered: 03/19/2015)	March 19, 2015	March 19, 2015 PACER

Case: Mayfield v. Orozco

2:13-cv-02499 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

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