When Murray tried to block the officers' path, they told him he was under arrest, and a struggle ensued: "Initially the officers used Mace and attempted to wrestle the plaintiff to the floor. As the struggle progressed, one officer applied a carotid neck restraint, while the other officer struck plaintiff several times in the face with his fist. At this point plaintiff, an epileptic, suffered a seizure."
Murray claimed emotional distress and ongoing problems with his vision after the incident. A settlement of $33,000 was hammered out for Murray and his attorney Larry Reed on the eve of trial in federal court.
Janet Hamline
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Approved: March 5.
The Slip-And-Fall Case That Slid All the Way to the State Supreme Court
Ronald Wiederholt v. City of Minneapolis
One fine summer's day back in July 1993, Ronald Wiederholt and family headed down to Lake Harriet to do some in-line skating. Wiederholt dropped his family off and parked his car. He'd strapped on his skates and was heading toward the lake when he struck a raised part of the sidewalk and fell, hitting his shoulder on a metal guardrail.
As it turned out, a routine inspection a month earlier in front of the home at 2418 W. 42nd St. had revealed that part of the sidewalk had been pushed up by tree roots. A note was made, but the problem wasn't fixed. The city sought summary judgment, claiming immunity, and the district court granted the motion. The plaintiff appealed, and the Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed the judgment. The city then appealed to the state's supreme court, which ruled that the city had failed to obey a section in the city charter dictating that sidewalks found to be in disrepair must be attended to immediately.
Before trial Wiederholt offered to settle the matter for $9,500, which settled the matter.
Approved: June 25.
I Wasn't Driving When I Was Plowed, I Was Plowed When I Was Driving
Van Nurden v. City of Minneapolis
This is one of two snowplow-car collisions Minneapolis has opted to settle so far this year--an acknowledgment, perhaps, that squad cars piloted by police aren't the only city vehicles that run red lights. Early on the morning of January 24, 1997, Candace Van Nurden was riding in a car traveling east on Washington Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. When the driver, who had a green light, headed into the intersection at Second Avenue South, his trusty mount was struck by a scofflaw snowplow.
Van Nurden claimed neck and back injuries. The case settled for $7,500.
Approved: July 16
Down, Buck!
Dorr v. City of Minneapolis et al.
Randolph Dorr went to the Aquatennial Block Party on July 18, 1997, which K-9 officer Luther Koerner was patrolling with his canine partner, Buck. Koerner says he watched Dorr push people and throw a beer can toward a group sitting in a parking lot. Dorr admits tossing the beer can, but says he wasn't being disruptive. Koerner says Dorr resisted arrest, at which point he dropped Buck's leash. According to the city attorney's summary, "Buck attacked Dorr and bit him several times on the buttocks and thigh before Koerner could get Dorr handcuffed and Buck back under control."
The disorderly conduct charges against Dorr were ultimately dismissed; he suffered several permanent scars from the bite wounds to his leg and rear end. Parties chewed over a settlement amount during court-order mediation, and ultimately agreed on $8,000.
Approved: August 13.
Settle Up
A quick look at where the money went
January 1 - August 13, 1999
Wrongful death (MPD)
1.35 million
Excessive force (MPD)
580,129.46
Squad cars colliding with other vehicles
94,720
MPD, Misc.
16,000
Total police-related costs
2,040,849.46
Other city vehicle accidents
38,980.75
Slip-and-fall cases
41,000
Attorneys' fees
115,831.18
Stray-cherry-picker-related claims
41,965.63
City worker v. the City (workers' comp.)
107,265.17
City workers v. the City (not workers' comp.)
227,156
Misc.
145,000
Total
2,758,048.19
FIGURES PROVIDED BY THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
