SAN FRANCISCO – A woman who was participating in a demonstration at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility last year alleges she was injured by police officers.
Susan Bell filed a complaint on Dec. 6 in the San Francisco Superior Court against the city and county of San Francisco, the San Francisco Police Department, Chief of Police William Scott and Does 1 to 20 alleging negligence, battery and violation of a California civil code.
According to the complaint, on July 9, 2018, Bell was present at a peaceful demonstration at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in San Francisco. The suit states plaintiff and other demonstrators were advised to move to one side of the street or be arrested, and the plaintiff chose to remain where she was "in an act of civil disobedience and face the prospect of arrest."
The plaintiff alleges the defendants' police officers "immediately commenced a violate take-down maneuver" on her and place her in an arm-bar. She alleges she was later diagnosed with torn ligaments in her shoulder and other injuries to her elbow that needed surgery.
The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because the defendants allegedly negligently and wrongfully breached their duty to use reasonable care owed to her and caused injuries.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for general and special damages, attorneys' fees, costs of suit, pre- and post-judgment interest, such other and further relief as the court may deem just and proper. She is represented by Michael R. Bracamontes and Jonathan A. Kam of Bracamontes & Vlasak PC in San Francisco.
San Francisco Superior Court case number CGC18571878