A. v. CITY OF SUNNYVALE

Background

A.A., a minor proceeding through his mother and guardian ad litem, Maria Lopez, brought a civil-rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. His claims arose from an April 15, 2024 arrest by Sunnyvale police officers. A.A. alleged that officers used excessive force, causing physical injuries including an eyelid gash that required medical treatment.

The complaint asserted a § 1983 claim alleging violation of A.A.’s Fourth Amendment rights, along with claims under California’s Bane Act, negligence, and battery. The parties reached a settlement and jointly asked the court to approve it.

Settlement Terms

The City of Sunnyvale agreed, on behalf of all defendants and without admitting liability, to pay $50,000. The settlement also included a mutual release of all claims between the parties. Of the total, $1,444.16 was to be paid directly to Medi-Cal for A.A.’s medical treatment.

The remaining $48,555.84 was to be paid to the law office of Gustavo Magana for A.A.’s benefit and deposited into a client trust account. The law office could withdraw a $20,000 contingency fee, described as 40% of the settlement, and $528 for litigation costs. A.A. was to receive the net amount of $28,027.84 on November 21, 2025, after reaching the age of majority. The parties’ agreement provided for dismissal of all claims with prejudice.

Court’s Analysis

Because A.A. was a minor, the court had a special duty under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17(c) to protect his interests. Applying the standard described by the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the court independently evaluated whether A.A.’s net recovery was fair and reasonable in light of the facts, his specific claims, and recoveries in similar cases.

The court found that the settlement of A.A.’s claims was fair and reasonable. Although courts commonly direct that settlement funds for minors be placed in a blocked account, the court approved use of a client trust account because A.A. would reach the age of majority within a few weeks.

Order

The court granted the parties’ stipulation to approve the settlement. It authorized the $48,555.84 payment to the law office for A.A.’s benefit, the $20,000 fee and $528 cost reimbursement, the $1,444.16 payment to Medi-Cal, and delivery of the $28,027.84 net proceeds to A.A. The parties were ordered to file a stipulated dismissal under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41 by December 5, 2025. If they did not, the court ordered them to appear and show why the case should not be dismissed.