Plaintiffs’ Attorneys Obtain $400,000 In Fees/Costs Under Settlement, While County’s Defense Legal Fees Reportedly Tallied Up To $1.8 Million.
In a February 16, 2014 article in The Orange County Register, it is reported Orange County deputies settled both a class action and certain individual suits against the County for “donning and doffing” (seeking compensation for time dressing/undressing in protective gear) and “off-the-clock” work (such as maintaining equipment, working through meal breaks, preparing for briefings, and preparing reports) after deputies lost “donning and doffing” claims based on a 2012 opinion by U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney and before an appeal could be taken to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Reportedly, the County paid out about $1.6 million in cash, wages, or leave-time credits. How did the lawyers do? The article says County paid them $400,000 as part of the settlement. And what was the cost of County’s defense? $1.8 million, according to the article.
The “state cop” is the young boy’s idol. Fair at Albany, Vermont. 1936. Carl Mydans, photographer. Library of Congress.