Federal Jury Returns $11.8 Million Verdict Against LAPD in Dodgers Celebration Excessive Force Case

A federal jury has awarded $11.8 million to a Dodgers fan permanently blinded in his right eye by an LAPD projectile. The unanimous verdict came down on April 16, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Isaac Castellanos, 22 at the time of the 2020 World Series celebration, was struck by a 37mm less-lethal launcher round fired by two Los Angeles Police Department officers. The jury found Officers Cody MacArthur and Jesse Pineda liable for negligence, excessive force, and violations of Castellanos' federal civil rights. Jurors deliberated less than two hours after six days of testimony, and the award could rise to approximately $35 million with court approval of treble damages.

Case at a Glance

• Verdict: $11.8 million
• Case Type: Civil Rights / Excessive Force
• Court: U.S. District Court, Central District of California
• Verdict Date: April 16, 2026
• Plaintiff: Isaac Castellanos
• Defendants: City of Los Angeles; Officers Cody MacArthur and Jesse Pineda
• Plaintiff Attorney: Pedram Esfandiary, Wisner Baum LLP

What Happened the Night of the World Series Celebration?

On October 27, 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers won their first World Series title in 32 years. Castellanos, then 22 and a student at Cal State Long Beach, joined thousands of fans who gathered in downtown Los Angeles to celebrate. Early the following morning, Officers MacArthur and Pineda fired 37mm less-lethal launchers toward the crowd.

One round struck Castellanos in the right eye, causing permanent blindness. Evidence presented at trial indicated the officers fired from roughly 145 feet away. LAPD policy restricts use of 37mm launchers to close-range deployments, and plaintiff's counsel argued the distance allowed the projectile to rise to eye level by the time it reached the crowd.

How Did the Jury Find the LAPD Officers Liable?

Jurors found both officers liable on every claim presented, including negligence, excessive force, and violation of Castellanos' constitutional rights. The panel reached its unanimous verdict in less than two hours following six days of testimony.

Defense counsel argued that the officers' projectile was not the cause of Castellanos' injury, and that Castellanos had ignored dispersal orders issued by police that night. The jury rejected both arguments.

Why Could the Damages Triple to $35 Million?

The $11.8 million award covers future medical care, lost earning capacity, and past and future pain and suffering. Castellanos was a professional esports competitor at the time of the incident, a career path that depends heavily on visual precision and depth perception. Accident victims seeking context on how California juries weigh damages can consult California public resources for personal injury claims.

Plaintiff counsel indicated the damages could rise to approximately $35 million with court approval of trebling. A final judgment has not yet been entered in the case.

What Does This LAPD Excessive Force Verdict Signal?

Pedram Esfandiary of Wisner Baum LLP, who represented Castellanos, framed the result as a broader indictment of projectile deployment at public gatherings. "I just hope it's another nail in the coffin of how police use these weapons, particularly in these group settings," Esfandiary said following the verdict.

The case adds to a growing body of federal civil rights verdicts against police departments arising from crowd-control deployments of so-called less-lethal munitions. Similar lawsuits have proceeded in cities across the country following mass protests and public celebrations in 2020.

Major Verdict tracks significant plaintiff verdicts and settlements across all 50 states. Browse the latest results or find a California plaintiff attorney with a proven trial record.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between compensatory and treble damages in a civil rights verdict?

Compensatory damages reimburse a plaintiff for actual harm, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Treble damages are a statutory multiplier that can increase the award to three times the compensatory amount under certain civil rights statutes. In Castellanos' case, counsel has indicated the $11.8 million verdict could rise to approximately $35 million if the court approves trebling.

What is a 37mm less-lethal launcher?

A 37mm launcher fires large foam or hard-foam projectiles intended to incapacitate a target without causing fatal injury. Agency policies typically restrict their use to close-range deployments, because rounds fired at longer distances can rise and strike the head or face, causing blindness, skull fractures, or death.

How long did the jury deliberate?

The jury returned its unanimous verdict in under two hours, following six days of testimony and evidence at trial.