A recent ruling has granted at least $2.2 million to protesters who suffered injuries from less-than-lethal ammunition during a 2020 protest against police brutality involving Los Angeles Sheriff’s deputies.
In the ruling, a judge determined that LA County was responsible for the injuries sustained by Cellin Gluck, awarding him $3.5 million in damages, which also included compensation for his daughter who was present at the protest.
However, the court reduced the total damages by 35%, declaring Gluck and others partially negligent. Consequently, Gluck’s award was adjusted to about $2.27 million, with his daughter receiving approximately $195,000.
The county has announced it’s looking into its options in response to the decision, including a potential appeal.
Cellin Gluck, known for his roles in various films, claimed he and his daughter faced excessive force during peaceful protests following George Floyd’s murder in May 2020.
According to the complaint, after leaving the protest, they approached another protester who appeared injured. Allegedly, he mentioned being hit in the face with a bean bag round. Shortly after, Gluck was struck in the face with a projectile.
The impact caused him to fall back, leaving him unarmed and not engaged in violent behavior, as stated in his legal documents. The projectiles reportedly lodged in his nasal cavity for almost a year before being surgically removed.
His attorney, Carl Douglas, expressed that while some justice was served, the ruling fell short of what they initially sought. He emphasized that Gluck, now 67, would have to live with his injuries for life, stating that the financial compensation didn’t adequately cover the daily pain he endures.
Douglas suggested that law enforcement training needs to change, emphasizing that officers shouldn’t target individuals unless there’s a clear deadly threat. He criticized the inability to identify the officer who shot Gluck, calling it a serious issue for both the county and the policing system.
“Until they take responsibility for their actions, the people of Los Angeles will continue to protest for the improvement of their law enforcement,” he added.
The LA County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged a new administration is in place and highlighted the importance of reviewing what transpired during those protests to enhance community service.
Concerns have been raised about the use of non-fatal ammunition by law enforcement during crowd control situations, especially following protests related to immigration policies and actions taken by federal agents in the area.
Moreover, incidents involving journalists and media personnel being injured have led to a federal judge imposing a temporary restraining order on the police, prohibiting the use of rubber projectiles and similar less-lethal options against journalists.
Additionally, a protester has filed civil rights claims after suffering a severe injury—losing a finger—due to non-fatal ammunition during demonstrations advocating for “no Kings” movements nationwide.
In California, it’s required to file a claim before any civil rights lawsuit can be pursued against a city or county concerning police misconduct.
