Plaintiff, a 5 year old boy, was severely abused by his father's live-in girlfriend over several months. As a result, plaintiff sustained catastrophic brain damage leaving him a spastic quadriplegic. He was blinded in half his visual field. He was also sexually abused.  Abuse allegations were twice made to San Bernardino's Child Abuse Hotline before the most explosive, violent episode. One of the calls was made by the perpetrator's own mother. 

The County knew this would be one of the most emotional and significant trials in its history. However, the case raised important issues concerning immunities applicable to public entities. Mr. Dolen argued that the County social worker did not violate any mandatory duty owed to plaintiff or his family. The jury was overwhelmed by the nature and extent of the plaintiff's injuries and rendered an award in his favor for $113,00,000. 

Post-verdict Mr. Dolen filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) and a motion for new trial or, in the alternative, for remittitur.  The motion for JNOV was granted in its entirety completely reversing the award and giving the County an outright defense verdict. As a backup, the Court also granted the motion for new trial which would take effect only if the Court of Appeal reverses the order which granted the JNOV motion. The matter is now on appeal. 

Plaintiff broke his neck learning to wrestle in an incoming freshman wrestling camp offered at Ayala High School in Chino Hills. The injury necessitated a corpectomy and C4-6 cervical fusion. Plaintiff's C5 vertebrae was removed and replaced with an artificial cage. Plaintiff and his father signed a release prior to participation in the camp, but plaintiff alleged that school district representatives were grossly negligent in operating and supervising the camp. Jurors disagreed and found no negligence at all. Mr. Dolen and Mr. Popka tried this case together. 

Plaintiff, a prisoner, struck a fellow inmate with a food tray in the jail cafeteria. In an effort to prevent a riot deputies administered 20 knee drops to plaintiffs head during the take down. In the process, plaintiff sustained two facial fractures. In this case an award was rendered in favor of plaintiff for $44,000 in U.S. Federal Court.  

More details coming soon

More details coming soon