St. Petersburg approves settlement for lawsuit from man injured during arrest.
St. Petersburg, Florida, has reached a settlement in a significant lawsuit filed by Heriberto Sanchez-Mayen, a 62-year-old man who alleged that actions taken by city police officers resulted in his paralysis and the amputation of both legs. The City Council’s unanimous decision, reached on April 3, 2024, calls for a settlement amount of .5 million, with an immediate payment of 0,000 to be disbursed within a week.
The lawsuit, initiated in March 2023, indicated that Sanchez-Mayen was arrested for trespassing and was not properly secured in a transport van. A sudden stop during transport caused him to lose consciousness, leading to severe injuries reflected in the legal complaints. Specifically, Sanchez-Mayen suffered damage to his cervical spine, resulting in paralysis and subsequent limb amputations.
Initially, the lawsuit identified two officers, Sarah Gaddis and Michael Thacker, as defendants. Gaddis was accused of a false arrest, while Thacker faced allegations of excessive force and battery. As the case unfolded, U.S. District Judge William Jung dismissed Gaddis from the suit, asserting that she had probable cause to make the arrest. However, he allowed Sanchez-Mayen to proceed with claims against Thacker relating to battery and excessive force.
In a recent mediation session, the parties reached a consensus leading to the settlement. City attorney Joseph Patner clarified that the settlement focused on a count of negligence, characterizing it as an accident rather than an intentional wrongdoing by the officers involved. This perspective was vital in the council’s unanimous approval of the settlement.
Furthermore, the settlement process was expedited due to concerns over Sanchez-Mayen’s health, as he had surpassed the typical life expectancy for individuals with similar medical conditions stemming from a double amputation. Following the settlement, Sanchez-Mayen is currently receiving rehabilitation in Pennsylvania, supported by his family.
Despite the resolution of this case, the St. Petersburg Police Department has no current plans to amend its policy regarding the transportation of detainees. Presently, detainees are secured with a “belly chain” and are not required to wear seatbelts in transport vans, a point that advocates hope will be reconsidered in light of this incident. Legal representatives for Sanchez-Mayen expressed their intent to spark discussions on improving safety measures during transport to prevent future occurrences of this nature.
As the case exemplifies the broader implications of police transport policies and the care afforded to individuals within the justice system, it remains a poignant reminder of the critical need for procedural safeguards to protect detainees.
