LOS ANGELES — A jury has awarded over $2.2 million to a protester injured during a demonstration against police brutality in 2020, after he was struck in the face by a less-lethal projectile fired by a sheriff’s deputy.
The jury’s ruling came last week, determining that Los Angeles County was responsible for the injuries sustained by Cellin Gluck, a filmmaker known for works such as “Oba: The Last Samurai.” Gluck’s damages were estimated at $3.5 million, while an additional $300,000 was granted to his daughter for the emotional distress she experienced during the incident.
However, attorneys for the county stated that the jury had also found Gluck partially liable for the incident, resulting in a 35% reduction in the final awards. This adjustment leads to approximately $2.27 million for Gluck and $195,000 for his daughter. Legal representatives indicated the county is considering an appeal to the ruling.
Gluck’s lawsuit alleges excessive use of force during a peaceful protest held in May 2020, following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The incident occurred as Gluck and his daughter were returning to their vehicle and encountered another protester who had been injured by a beanbag round. According to court documents, Gluck was shot in the face while unarmed and holding only a camera.
The impact of the projectile caused Gluck to fall backward, and the complaint indicated that it lodged in his nasal cavity for almost a year before surgical removal. Gluck has since suffered severe injuries, including permanent disfigurement and traumatic brain injury.
His attorney, Carl Douglas, expressed that while Gluck has received some form of justice, the compensation awarded falls short of the original claim. Douglas underscored the long-term consequences Gluck will face due to his injuries, particularly at the age of 67.
He emphasized the critical training protocols for law enforcement that discourage targeting individuals above the shoulders unless a deadly threat is present. Additionally, Douglas criticized the failure to identify the deputy responsible for the shooting, labeling it a significant failure of the system.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department acknowledged a shift in leadership and stated it is committed to reviewing past practices to learn from the incident. Recent scrutiny over the use of less-lethal munitions by law enforcement has intensified, particularly following various protests, including those opposing federal immigration policies in Los Angeles.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of journalists, with reports of media members being injured by these projectiles. A federal judge recently issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the use of rubber projectiles against journalists in the area. Additionally, another protester has filed a civil rights claim against both the city of Los Angeles and the sheriff’s department after losing a finger due to a less-lethal round.
In California, the legal framework requires individuals to lodge a claim before initiating a civil rights lawsuit against municipal entities for alleged police misconduct.
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