Aurora Police Excessive Force Claim Settles for $35,000
Officers responded to a domestic call at a home. The homeowner had previously intervened in an alleged abuse situation. Officers arrived without a warrant and demanded the homeowner come outside. While being searched, the homeowner was thrown to the ground, sustaining injuries. The homeowner sued the police department for violating his rights and using excessive force. The case was settled.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Spinal Cord Injury Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are among the most catastrophic outcomes of car accidents, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries require extensive medical care and significantly impact quality of life.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $35,000
- County
- Dallas County, CO
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Police Liability, Excessive Force
Settlement Context
This settlement of $35,000 is below the median of $1,300,000 for spinal cord injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $492,728 to $30,000,000, based on 13 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In November 2015, officers with the Aurora, Colorado Police Department responded to a domestic call at a private residence at 2:00 a.m. The plaintiff, who had intervened in an alleged physical abuse incident involving his stepdaughter hours earlier, stated that officers, without a warrant, loudly knocked, shone lights into windows, and threatened entry. When the plaintiff came to the door, officers ordered him onto the porch and began a pat-down. The plaintiff alleged that after he mentioned his cat, an officer threw him to the ground onto jagged rocks, causing lasting injuries, particularly to a spine previously damaged in a car accident.
In November 2017, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed suit on behalf of the plaintiff in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. The complaint named the City of Aurora and its officers as defendants, alleging violations of the plaintiff's Fourth Amendment rights and 42 U.S.C. § 1983, specifically concerning unlawful seizure within his home and the use of excessive force. The defendants denied the accusations. The case concluded with a settlement where the plaintiff received $35,000.
Understanding This Case
- Spinal cord injuries are typically permanent, though some incomplete injuries may see partial recovery. Life expectancy may be reduced, and quality of life is significantly impacted.
- This case was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
- This case was resolved in Dallas County, Colorado. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2018, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.
VerdictlyTM Score
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