The judgment, dated April 14, 2026, follows a jury trial in the Central District of California. The case centered on claims arising from the actions of Llanet "Lily" Acosta, a social worker at the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
The jury found the County of Los Angeles liable on two claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for Monell violations of the plaintiffs' Fourteenth Amendment rights. As a result, the County was ordered to pay $1 million to Sumoyyah Lee and $7 million to Erick A. Lee, plus statutory interest.
Regarding the claims against individual defendant Llanet Acosta, the jury found her liable for negligence toward Sumoyyah Lee. However, the jury determined that Sumoyyah Lee was 15% comparatively at fault for the negligence. Consequently, Acosta was ordered to pay Sumoyyah Lee $850,000, calculated as $1 million less the $150,000 reduction for comparative fault.
Judgment was entered in favor of Acosta and against Erick A. Lee on all claims brought by Erick against her. The judgment notes that Erick A. Lee was duly dismissed as a party in this action.
Judge Wu retained jurisdiction to determine reasonable attorneys' fees and costs under 42 U.S.C. § 1988. Motions for taxation of costs and attorneys' fees are set to proceed under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d) and Local Rule 54.
The case, docketed as 2:23-cv-06875-GW-MAA, was tried before the jury with Judge Wu presiding.