S. v. County of Santa Clara

Background

Amilia S., a minor, brought federal civil-rights and state-law claims against the County of Santa Clara arising from her treatment at the County’s acute psychiatric facility, Barbara Arons Pavilion. The County agreed to settle all of Amilia’s claims for $50,000. Rebecca Weisman, Amilia’s court-appointed guardian ad litem, petitioned for approval of the settlement. The County did not oppose the petition.

Court’s Review

The court explained that Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17(c) requires district courts to protect the interests of minor litigants. For a proposed settlement involving a minor, the court must independently determine whether the settlement serves the minor’s best interests. The court determined that the proposed distribution was fair and reasonable to Amilia.

The petition proposed distributing the $50,000 as follows:

- $15,000 to Amilia S.; - $5,610 to Rebecca Weisman, the guardian ad litem; - $471.87 to the Law Office of Sanjay S. Schmidt for costs; and - $28,918.13 to the Law Office of Sanjay S. Schmidt for attorney’s fees.

Ruling

The court granted the Petition for Order Approving Compromise of Claims. It approved the settlement of Amilia’s claims against the County under the parties’ settlement terms and approved the distribution of attorney’s fees and costs described in the petition.

The court also ordered that the settlement proceeds be deposited into Amilia’s client trust account within two business days after the Public Guardian received the settlement check. The account is to be managed by Amilia’s conservator at the Office of the Public Guardian, held in trust for Amilia, and used strictly for her benefit. Amilia’s counsel must notify the court when the deposits are complete.