The judgment was entered April 14, 2026, following a jury trial before Judge Wu in case number 2:23-cv-06875-GW-MAA. The suit centered on the actions of Acosta, who worked as a social worker at the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
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." The county was ordered to pay $1 million to Sumoyyah Lee and $7 million to Erick A. Lee, plus statutory interest.
On the claims against Acosta individually, the jury found her liable for negligence toward Sumoyyah Lee but determined that Sumoyyah Lee was 15% comparatively at fault. Acosta was ordered to pay $850,000, "calculated as $1 million less the $150,000 reduction for comparative fault."
The jury entered judgment in favor of Acosta and against Erick A. Lee on all claims Erick had brought against her. According to the judgment, 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.