Settlement Reached in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against County of Monterey, California Forensic Medical Group, and Members of Law Enforcement

Hon. Lucy Koh of the United States District Court approved a global settlement against the County of Monterey and California Forensic Medical Group in the amount of $825,000 to end a lawsuit filed by the surviving children of a woman who died while in police custody on December 19, 2015. The County and CFMG will split the total amount 50/50.

Larra Ann Gillis died in the hospital after having spent roughly 28 hours in police custody without receiving proper medical treatment.

“It’s a just result that will make a real difference for the surviving children of Ms. Gillis,” said attorney Elise Sanguinetti, founding partner at Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos LLP. “The County and CFMG could have and should have provided better care for this poor woman, and hopefully as a result of this lawsuit and settlement, jails and law enforcement will better enforce standards of care for those who have been incarcerated from now on.”

https://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2018/09/07/monterey-county-jail-inmates-death-settled-825-000/1227623002/

https://www.ksbw.com/article/settlement-reached-for-woman-who-died-days-after-booked-into-monterey-county-jail/23029621