United States of America v. Estate of Anthony Ray Lopez, Sr. v. City of Oontairo, et al.

San Bernardino, California personal injury lawyers represented the Plaintiffs on 42 U.S.C. 1983 civil rights violation theory.



Anthony Ray Lopez Sr., Madeline Vasquez, and Josephine Guadalupe

Dominguez (collectively, "Decedents”) died on November 8, 2022, while in a storm

drain in the City of Ontario, County of San Bernardino, State of California, after

flood officials released water into the storm drain during a severe rain event. Lopez

Sr. and Vasquez were living in the storm drain at the time, while Dominguez was in

the storm drain to assist unhoused individuals. Decedents' estates brought suit

against the City of Ontario, the County of San Bernardino, the State of California,

and various named and unnamed employees, alleging violations of California state

law, as well a municipal liability claim against the City and County (a Monell claim)

and claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the individual employees for state-created

danger and interference with a parent-child relationship.

In various motion to dismiss rulings, the district court dismissed all claims.



Affirmed