Cordoves v. Miami Dade County et al
Filing
162
ORDER granting in part and denying in part 95 Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga on 3/12/2015. (ps1)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
GLADYS M. CORDOVES,
Plaintiff,
v.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, et al.,
Defendants.
____________________________/
ORDER
THIS CAUSE came before the Court on Defendants, Mydatt Services, Inc. d/b/a Valor
Security Services (“Valor”); SDG Dadeland Associates, Inc. d/b/a Dadeland Mall (“Dadeland”);
Officer Jean R. Pompee (“Pompee”); and Miami-Dade County’s (the “County[’s]”) (collectively,
“Defendants[’]”) Motion for Summary Judgment [ECF No. 95] and Combined Memorandum in
Support . . . (“Motion”) [ECF No. 95-1], both filed December 17, 2014.
In the Motion,
Defendants seek summary judgment on all claims asserted by Plaintiff, Gladys Cordoves
(“Cordoves”), in the Third Amended Complaint (“TAC”) [ECF No. 52], filed July 31, 2014.
The Court has carefully reviewed the Motion; Cordoves’s Response . . . (“Response”) [ECF Nos.
109, 109-1], filed January 19, 2015; Cordoves’s Supplemental Response . . . (“Supplemental
Response”) [ECF No. 122], filed January 26, 2015; Defendants’ Reply . . . (“Reply”) [ECF No.
123], filed January 29, 2015; the record; and applicable law.
I. BACKGROUND
This case arises out of an incident at the Dadeland Mall on November 14, 2010, during
which Cordoves had a confrontation with security personnel that ended with her arrest. The
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
incident was precipitated by the presence of Shiloh, a small dog Cordoves was toting in a stroller
while shopping with her mother and daughter. The following facts — many of which are
disputed — are construed in the light most favorable to Cordoves, the non-moving party.
A. Shiloh
Cordoves suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”), a psychiatric condition
that causes her to experience, among other symptoms, severe panic attacks. (See Cordoves’s
Statement of Material Facts (“Pl. SMF”) ¶¶ 111–12 [ECF No. 109]). Her PTSD was induced by
an automobile accident in 1999: Cordoves was in a car with her daughter, Barbara Cordoves
(“Barbara”), when an automobile attached to a tractor-trailer in front of them broke loose from
its moorings and crashed down onto the hood of Cordoves’s car, trapping her inside. (See id.
¶¶ 110–11). Cordoves has been seeing psychiatrists to help her cope with her PTSD, but her
panic attacks still sometimes require hospitalization, and she has been unable to work. (See id.
¶¶ 112, 114–15).
In 2007, Cordoves began psychiatric treatment with Dr. Cuervo, who diagnosed
Cordoves with PTSD, severe panic disorder, and major depression recurrent. (See id. ¶¶ 115–
16). According to Cordoves, on May 4, 2009, Dr. Cuervo recommended she get a service dog to
help her cope with her PTSD and depression. (See id. ¶ 117). Cordoves and her daughter
Barbara then spent about seven months looking for a dog. (See id. ¶¶ 118–19). Barbara
contacted organizations that bred and trained service dogs, but the organizations had long
waiting lists, and their services were expensive. (See May 28, 2014 Deposition of Barbara
Cordoves (“Barbara 5/28/14 Dep.”) 105:2–18 [ECF No. 95-11]).
Cordoves and Barbara
therefore decided to purchase and train a dog on their own. (See id.). They searched pet stores
looking for an appropriate dog, but all of the dogs they found were too playful and did not have
2
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
the right temperament. (See id. 105:22–106:12).
On December 13, 2009, at a pet store called Cute Puppies, Cordoves purchased Shiloh, a
white toy poodle, because “there was an immediate connection and bond between” them. (Pl.
SMF ¶¶ 119–20). Shiloh was ten weeks old, with no prior training other than potty training.
(See id. ¶ 20; Defendants’ . . . Statement of Material Facts (“Defs. SMF”) ¶ 19 [ECF No. 95-2]).
Despite his lack of prior training, from the very beginning of their relationship, Shiloh could
detect the onset of panic attacks in Cordoves. (See Pl. SMF ¶ 121). Over the next several
months, Barbara trained Shiloh at home1 to perform his “alert” task in response to Cordoves’s
panic attacks. (See id. ¶ 122).
Whether Shiloh is next to Cordoves, on the floor, in a stroller, or even in another room,
once he detects an impending panic attack, he runs over to Cordoves, jumps onto her lap, and
applies a pressurized, massage-like licking pattern to the left side of her body.
(See id.;
Cordoves 11/7/14 Dep. 18:17–25, 193:21–24; June 11, 2014 Deposition of Barbara Cordoves
(“Barbara 6/11/14 Dep.”) 12:20–13:14, 17:8–18 [ECF No. 95-10]; Barbara 5/28/14 Dep. 72:4–
18). He also paws on Cordoves, nudges her chin, and yelps to get the attention of Barbara. (See
Barbara 6/11/14 Dep. 17:8–18; Barbara 5/28/14 Dep. 72:4–10). Cordoves claims Shiloh’s alerts
minimize or alleviate her panic attacks, which have decreased in frequency and severity ever
since Shiloh became part of her life. (See Cordoves 11/7/14 Dep. 15:13–14; Barbara 5/28/14
Dep. 68:20–24, 70:16–22).
B. Dadeland Mall
The following facts are relevant to Cordoves’s 42 U.S.C. section 1983 claim and
therefore, unless otherwise noted, are Cordoves’s version of the facts. See Jones v. City of
1
Cordoves also took Shiloh to obedience training classes at PetSmart and Breedmasters to learn basic
commands, such as to sit and stay. (See Defs. SMF ¶¶ 24, 26; November 7, 2014 Deposition of Gladys
Cordoves (“Cordoves 11/7/14 Dep.”) 170:17–21 [ECF No. 95-6]).
3
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
Dothan, Alabama, 121 F.3d 1456, 1458 n.2 (11th Cir. 1997) (“For the present purposes, we state
the facts in the light most favorable to the [plaintiffs]. This being so, they may not be the actual
facts.” (alteration added; citation omitted)). Further, any facts supplied by Defendants that
Cordoves did not controvert with evidence are deemed admitted. See FED. R. CIV. P. 56(e)(4);
S.D. FLA. L.R. 56.1(b) (“All material facts set forth in the movant’s statement filed and
supported as required . . . will be deemed admitted unless controverted by the opposing party’s
statement, provided that the Court finds that the movant’s statement is supported by evidence in
the record.”).
1. Encounter with Caminero
On November 14, 2010, Cordoves, Barbara, and Cordoves’s mother went to Dadeland
Mall2 and brought Shiloh along in a stroller. (See Pl. SMF ¶ 130; Defs. SMF ¶ 34). After
entering the mall through JCPenney — outside of which they had parked their car — they
headed to the food court to grab a bite to eat. (See Pl. SMF ¶¶ 132–33). Cordoves took a seat at
a table with Shiloh and her mother, and Barbara went to Johnny Rockets to order some food.
(See id. ¶¶ 133–34). While Barbara was away, security guard Alex Caminero (“Caminero”), an
employee of Valor,3 approached Cordoves and told her she had to leave the mall because pets
were not allowed. (See id. ¶ 137). Cordoves responded that Shiloh is a service dog, but
Caminero ignored her and again demanded she leave the mall. (See id. ¶ 138).
At that point, Barbara approached and asked Caminero what the problem was. (See id.
¶ 139). Caminero again explained pets were not allowed in the mall. (See id. ¶ 140). He then
led Barbara to a nearby sign, which stated no pets were allowed. (See id. ¶¶ 140–41). According
to Cordoves, the sign did not indicate any exception for service dogs. (See id. ¶ 141). Barbara
2
Dadeland is the company that owns and operates the Dadeland Mall. (See Defs. SMF ¶ 1).
3
Valor was retained by Dadeland to provide security services at Dadeland Mall. (See id. ¶ 2).
4
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
and Caminero returned to where Cordoves was, and Caminero again ordered them to leave the
mall. (See id. ¶ 142).
The parties agree Cordoves then asked to speak with Caminero’s supervisor and started
trying to read something on Caminero’s sleeve, but Caminero kept turning away. (See Defs.
SMF ¶¶ 43–45). Cordoves claims she was trying to see if Caminero had any identification
displayed on his clothing, but after he kept turning away, he “spontaneously yelled out ‘don’t
touch me’ while he grabbed his clothes and pulled them to make it appear the Cordoves women
had disheveled his clothing.” (Pl. SMF ¶¶ 143–44). Defendants, in contrast, assert Cordoves got
angry, “called him a monkey because ‘he was from the Dominican Republic,’” and then
Cordoves and Barbara “began pulling on his shirt.” (Defs. SMF ¶ 41).
At that point, Cordoves, her mother, and Barbara decided to heed Caminero’s directive to
leave the mall, so they headed in the direction of JCPenney, near where their car was parked.
(See Pl. SMF ¶ 145). As they walked away, Caminero followed them while “speaking into [his
walkie-talkie] saying things that the Cordoves women could not hear.” (Id. ¶ 147). A female
security guard approached them and warned them to leave, but they explained they were heading
to the exit where they had parked. (See id. ¶ 148). Soon enough, they were surrounded by a
number of other security guards, at which point Pompee, an off-duty Miami-Dade County police
officer working at the mall,4 arrived. (See id. ¶¶ 148–49).
2. Encounter with Pompee
Caminero told Pompee that Cordoves was not following his order to leave the mall on the
basis pets were not allowed. (See Defs. SMF ¶ 54). Another security guard, Dwain Pratt, told
Pompee, “we need to move them out of the Mall.” (Id. ¶ 57). Pompee asked Caminero if
4
Dadeland had an agreement with the County whereby Dadeland could retain the services of off-duty
County police officers to provide a police presence at Dadeland Mall. (See id. ¶ 3).
5
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
Caminero wanted Pompee “to arrest her (meaning Gladys Cordoves) for hitting [him],” to which
Caminero responded, “yes.” (Pl. SMF ¶ 150). Cordoves asked Pompee if he had seen Cordoves
hit Caminero, but Pompee said he did not have to see that happen to arrest her. (See id. ¶ 151).
According to Cordoves, “[e]verything happened very fast.” (Defs. SMF ¶ 79 (alteration
added)). First, “Pompee . . . immediately grabbed forcefully and painfully on . . . Cordoves[’s]
right wrist.” (Pl. SMF ¶ 152 (alterations added)). Then he “grabbed the left forearm area
forcefully causing pain and bruising on the forearm of Ms. Cordoves.” (Id. ¶ 153). He “then
spun Ms. Cordoves around so that her back was to him. He pulled both of [her] arm[s] up
against her joint causing pain and injury. He then placed her in a bear hug and began squeezing
her extremely hard causing pain.” (Id. ¶ 154 (alterations added)). Next, Pompee lifted her up
and “began pulling her back in the direction of the food court.” (Id. ¶ 155).
As Pompee carried her in his arms, with her back to him, “she began to sweat, became
pale and proceeded to appear that she would pass out.” (Id. ¶ 156). Next, “Pompee slammed
Ms. Cordoves into the Godiva [Chocolatier store] window causing it to vibrate” (id. ¶ 157
(alteration added)), but the glass did not shatter, nor was Cordoves cut (see Defs. SMF ¶ 82).
Cordoves then told Pompee “she was disabled, that she was not feeling well” (Pl. SMF ¶ 158),
but she never told him what her disability was (see Defs. SMF ¶ 83). With her back still turned
to him so that he could not see her face, he squeezed her again. (See id. ¶¶ 90–91). “Cordoves
then lost consciousness, became limp in Officer Pompee’s arms and Officer Pompee then threw
her to the floor.” (Pl. SMF ¶ 159). She “hit her head when she fell and was unable to move.”
(Id. ¶ 160). Cordoves claims she “never resisted” Pompee during this encounter. (Id. ¶ 71).
Pompee used no other force on Cordoves. (See Defs. SMF ¶ 102). He also was never
able to place her in handcuffs. (See id. ¶ 101). Cordoves was taken away by an ambulance and
6
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
treated at a hospital, where she was identified as having “a contusion to the head and Anxiety
Reaction.” (Pl. SMF ¶¶ 164, 168). A few officers met her there, and she signed a notice to
appear without having to serve any jail time. (See id. ¶ 167; Defs. SMF ¶ 107). The next day,
Cordoves checked herself into an emergency room because she was still in pain. (See Pl. SMF
¶ 169). The hospital found she “was suffering from a chest contusion, head contusion, two
contusions of the left forearm and a contusion on her right thigh.” (Id.). Since then, Cordoves
has seen a doctor and an orthopedic surgeon for continued treatment, including surgery, for
lasting injuries and pain resulting from the incident at the mall. (See id. ¶¶ 172–78).
Cordoves was charged with disorderly conduct, battery, resisting arrest without violence,
and trespass. (See id. ¶ 170). On April 5, 2011, a bench trial was held in state court, following
which all charges against Cordoves were dismissed. (See id. ¶ 171).
C. Cordoves’s Third Amended Complaint
In Count I of the Third Amended Complaint, Cordoves seeks damages from Pompee
under section 1983, claiming Pompee employed excessive force when he arrested her, violating
her rights under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. (See TAC ¶¶ 41–44). In Count
II, a related state-law claim, Cordoves seeks damages against the County for assault and battery
on the theory the County is vicariously liable for Pompee’s acts pursuant to Florida Statute
section 768.28. (See id. ¶¶ 45–50). Count VII is a derivative claim against Dadeland and Valor,
seeking to hold them liable under section 1983 for acting in concert with Pompee. (See id. ¶¶
89–93).
In Count V, Cordoves alleges Dadeland discriminated against her in violation of Title III
of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. section 12181 et seq., which she
argues required Dadeland to accommodate her disability by permitting the presence of Shiloh,
7
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
which she asserts is a service dog. (See TAC ¶¶ 59–79). Counts VI and VIII, related state-law
claims, allege Dadeland and Valor, respectively, are liable for negligent supervision and security
in connection with Caminero’s actions. (See id. ¶¶ 80–88, 94–101). Counts III and IV, also
state-law claims, allege Valor and Dadeland, respectively, are liable for false imprisonment in
connection with Caminero and the other security guards’ alleged restraint of Cordoves’s
movement during the incident. (See id. ¶¶ 51–58). Defendants seek summary judgment on all
counts of the Third Amended Complaint. (See generally Mot.).
II. LEGAL STANDARD
Summary judgment shall be rendered if the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure
materials on file, and any affidavits show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact
and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See FED. R. CIV. P. 56(a), (c). In
making this assessment, the Court “must view all the evidence and all factual inferences
reasonably drawn from the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party,” Stewart
v. Happy Herman’s Cheshire Bridge, Inc., 117 F.3d 1278, 1285 (11th Cir. 1997), and “must
resolve all reasonable doubts about the facts in favor of the non-movant,” United of Omaha Life
Ins. Co. v. Sun Life Ins. Co. of Am., 894 F.2d 1555, 1558 (11th Cir. 1990). “An issue of fact is
material if it is a legal element of the claim under the applicable substantive law which might
affect the outcome of the case.” Burgos v. Chertoff, 274 F. App’x 839, 841 (11th Cir. 2008)
(quoting Allen v. Tyson Foods Inc., 121 F.3d 642, 646 (11th Cir. 1997) (internal quotation marks
omitted)). “A factual dispute is genuine ‘if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could
return a verdict for the nonmoving party.’” Channa Imps., Inc. v. Hybur, Ltd., No. 07-21516CIV, 2008 WL 2914977, at *2 (S.D. Fla. July 25, 2008) (quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby,
Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986)).
8
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
The movant’s initial burden on a motion for summary judgment “consists of a
responsibility to inform the court of the basis for its motion and to identify those portions of the
pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the
affidavits, if any, which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact.”
Fitzpatrick v. City of Atlanta, 2 F.3d 1112, 1115 (11th Cir. 1993) (quoting Celotex Corp. v.
Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986) (alterations and internal quotation marks omitted)). “[T]he
plain language of Rule 56 mandates the entry of summary judgment against a party who fails to
make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party’s case,
and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial.” Jones v. UPS Ground Freight,
683 F.3d 1283, 1292 (11th Cir. 2012) (quoting Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322 (alterations and internal
quotation marks omitted)).
Nevertheless, “factual disputes do not preclude a grant of summary judgment premised
on a defendant’s qualified immunity if the legal norms allegedly violated were not clearly
established at the time of the challenged actions. Thus, in the context of a § 1983 case, summary
judgment would be appropriate as a matter of law, notwithstanding factual disputes on the record
regarding the defendant’s conduct.” Rich v. Dollar, 841 F.2d 1558, 1564–65 (11th Cir. 1988).
However, “if the legal norms allegedly violated were as a matter of law clearly established at the
appropriate time, a genuine fact issue as to what conduct the defendant engaged in would
preclude a grant of summary judgment based upon qualified immunity.” Id. at 1565.
III. ANALYSIS
Defendants contend Cordoves’s claims “are legally and factually untenable” and
therefore summary judgment is warranted. (Mot. 3). Defendants argue the ADA claim against
Dadeland fails because Shiloh is indisputably not a service animal. (See id. 15–16). Defendants
9
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
next argue that because Shiloh is not a service animal, the false imprisonment and negligence
claims also fail. (See id. 16–18). According to Cordoves, there is enough evidence to show a
genuine issue of fact regarding Shiloh’s status as a service animal, so summary judgment is not
proper as to the ADA, false imprisonment, and negligence claims. (See Resp. 40–47; Suppl.
Resp. 1–2).
Cordoves further counters even if Shiloh is not a service dog, the false
imprisonment and negligence claims stand because there still exist genuine disputes about the
reasonableness of Dadeland and Valor’s actions. (See Resp. 47–48; Suppl. Resp. 2–3).
With respect to the section 1983 claim against Pompee, Defendants claim Cordoves has
failed to abrogate Pompee’s qualified immunity, as the force he used was de minimis and, even
assuming Pompee used excessive force, he would not have been on notice he was violating
Cordoves’s clearly established rights.
(See Mot. 18–28).
Defendants also argue because
Pompee’s force was not clearly excessive, the battery claim against the County fails (see id. 28–
30), as do the concert-of-action claims against Dadeland and Valor (see id. 30). In response,
Cordoves asserts Pompee is not entitled to qualified immunity because he was on notice his
actions constituted excessive force under the Fourth Amendment. (See Resp. 51–55). Cordoves
argues summary judgment on the battery claim against the County also is not proper, again
because Pompee used excessive force.
(See id. 55–56).
Cordoves does not respond to
Defendants’ argument regarding the concert-of-action claims against Dadeland and Valor.
A. The ADA Claim
Defendants maintain Cordoves cannot prove Shiloh is a service animal under the ADA
and so summary judgment on the ADA discrimination claim is proper.
(See Mot. 13).
According to Defendants, there is no evidence of any tasks Shiloh does to help Cordoves with
her PTSD, nor is there evidence Shiloh received any individual training to be a service animal.
10
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
(See id. 15–16). Yet viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Cordoves, the Court
finds Cordoves has proffered sufficient evidence to create a genuine dispute of fact regarding
Shiloh’s status as a service animal.
1. Service Animals Under the ADA
Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in
places of public accommodation, such as malls.5 See 42 U.S.C. §§ 12181(7)(E), 12182. To
implement this generic prohibition, Congress delegated authority to the Attorney General to
promulgate regulations setting more specific standards of compliance with the ADA. See id.
§ 12186(b). Title III does not explicitly address service animals, but given the important role
played by service animals to individuals who need them, the Attorney General promulgated
regulations requiring places of public accommodation to allow “[i]ndividuals with disabilities . . .
to be accompanied by their service animals in all areas . . . where members of the public,
program participants, clients, customers, patrons, or invitees, as relevant, are allowed to go.” 28
C.F.R. § 36.302(c)(7) (alterations added). A “service animal” is defined as “any dog that is
individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a
disability.” Id. § 36.104. The regulation further provides the work or tasks performed by the
dog “must be directly related to the individual’s disability,” and “the provision of emotional
support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do[es] not constitute work or tasks for the
purposes of this definition.” Id. (alteration added).
Generally, a “plaintiff alleging Title III ADA discrimination must initially prove that
(1) he is a disabled individual; (2) the defendants own, lease, or operate a place of public
accommodation; and (3) the defendants discriminated against the plaintiff within the meaning of
The parties do not dispute the broad definition of “public accommodation” includes Dadeland Mall. See
42 U.S.C. § 12181(7)(E) (defining “public accommodation” as, among other things, “a . . . clothing store,
. . . shopping center, or other sales or rental establishment” (alterations added)).
5
11
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
the ADA.” Norkunas v. Seahorse NB, LLC, 444 F. App’x 412, 416 (11th Cir. 2011) (citing 42
U.S.C. § 12182(a)). To prevail on the third prong, Cordoves must prove Dadeland discriminated
against her within the meaning of the ADA by refusing to allow the presence of Shiloh at
Dadeland Mall as an accommodation of Cordoves’s disability. See 28 C.F.R. § 36.302(c)(7).
This in turn requires Cordoves to prove Shiloh is a “service animal” under 28 C.F.R. section
36.104. See, e.g., Davis v. Ma, 848 F. Supp. 2d 1105, 1114 (C.D. Cal. 2012); Miller v. Ladd, No.
CV-08-05595-NJV, 2010 WL 2867808, at *4 (N.D. Cal. July 20, 2010); Vaughn v. Rent-ACenter, Inc., No. 2:06-cv-1027, 2009 WL 723166, at *10 (S.D. Ohio Mar. 16, 2009).
Defendants seek summary judgment on Cordoves’s ADA claim on the sole ground Shiloh is not
a service animal.
Courts deciding summary judgment motions on ADA claims have set a low bar for
demonstrating a genuine issue of fact regarding a dog’s status as a service animal. To withstand
a motion for summary judgment on the training issue, it is not necessary to proffer documented
evidence of training instead of only testimony. See Baugher v. City of Ellensburg, WA, No. CV06-3026-RHW, 2007 WL 858627, at *5 (E.D. Wash. Mar. 19, 2007). Nor is it necessary to
show the dog was trained by a “certified trainer.” Green v. Hous. Auth. of Clackamas Cnty., 994
F. Supp. 1253, 1256 (D. Or. 1998). Indeed, courts have recognized a service dog may be
individually trained at home. See Vaughn, 2009 WL 723166, at *10; Green, 994 F. Supp. at
1256. Further, “[t]here are no requirements as to the amount or type of training that a service
animal must undergo, nor the type of work or assistance that a service animal must provide, but
the animal be trained to perform tasks or do work for the benefit of a disabled individual.” Rose
v. Springfield-Greene Cnty. Health Dep’t, 668 F. Supp. 2d 1206, 1214–15 (W.D. Mo. 2009);
accord Green, 994 F. Supp. at 1256; Vaughn, 2009 WL 723166, at *10. “This is not a taxing
12
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
requirement, . . . and there are no federally-mandated animal training standards.” Prindable v.
Ass’n of Apartment Owners of 2987 Kalakaua, 304 F. Supp. 2d 1245, 1256 (D. Haw. 2003)
(alteration added; citation omitted).
Nevertheless, courts have granted summary judgment if a plaintiff cannot show with any
specificity a genuine issue of fact regarding a dog’s training or status as a service animal. For
example, in Baugher, the court granted summary judgment on the plaintiff’s ADA claim because
“the record [wa]s devoid of any specific work or tasks that [plaintiff’s dog] was trained to
perform for the benefit of [p]laintiff.” 2007 WL 858627, at *5 (alterations added). The plaintiff
argued the dog cued her to take her medication and stay focused, but nothing in the record
explained what specifically the dog did to cue the plaintiff or how the dog was trained to provide
these cues. See id. Similarly, in Rose the court granted summary judgment because although the
plaintiff described a task her pet monkey did directly relating to her disability, she provided “no
explanation as to the monkey’s training or the specific cues that would trigger the monkey to
perform these ‘tasks.’” 668 F. Supp. 2d at 1215 (citation omitted). The monkey’s other tasks
provided nothing more than comfort and encouragement, making the monkey “equivalent to a
household pet,” not a service animal. Id. To survive summary judgment, a plaintiff must also
show the dog has already been trained to do his task and is not merely still in training. See
Davis, 848 F. Supp. 2d at 1115 (granting summary judgment because the puppy “only had some
‘basic obedience’ training,” and the plaintiff, who had a degenerative back disability, “was still
attempting to train the puppy to assist him with walking and balancing”).
2. Analysis
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Cordoves, the Court concludes
Cordoves has demonstrated a genuine dispute of fact regarding Shiloh’s status as a service
13
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
animal. Defendants contend there is an “absence of any evidence establishing what tasks Shiloh
was trained to perform to address [Cordoves’s] PTSD” (Mot. 15 (alteration added)), but such
evidence indeed exists. According to Cordoves, Shiloh detects when Cordoves is about to have a
panic attack. (See Pl. SMF ¶ 121; Barbara 6/11/14 Dep. 12:3–4). The detection of the panic
attack cues Shiloh to “alert” by jumping on Cordoves, pawing on her, nudging her chin, applying
a pressurized licking massage mainly to the left side of her body, and calling Barbara over to
assist. (See Pl. SMF ¶¶ 121–22; Barbara 5/28/14 Dep. 72:4–18; Barbara 6/11/14 Dep. 17:8–18).
Cordoves’s panic attacks can be so severe as to require hospitalization (see Pl. SMF ¶
112), but Shiloh’s task helps Cordoves cope with her PTSD by “minimiz[ing]” or “alleviat[ing]”
her panic attacks (Cordoves 11/7/14 Dep. 15:13–14 (alterations added); see also Barbara 6/11/14
Dep. 13:19–20 (explaining the alert has “actually brought [Cordoves’s] heart rate down”
(alteration added))).
Cordoves’s panic attacks used to be “fairly frequent,” but after she
purchased Shiloh, the attacks happened less frequently and were less severe when they did
happen. (Barbara 5/28/14 Dep. 68:20–24, 70:16–22). Assuming Shiloh has in fact helped
Cordoves cope with panic attacks that could otherwise require her hospitalization, Shiloh does
more than just provide “emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship.” 28 C.F.R. §
36.104. Contrary to Defendants’ contention, a jury could find Shiloh is a service animal and not
just “a 10 lb. house-pet that provided comfort to her owner.” (Mot. 16).
Defendants also assert there is no evidence “Shiloh was specifically trained to perform
tasks related to Gladys’ disorder” (id.), but the evidence suggests Barbara provided this training.
(See Pl. SMF ¶ 122; Cordoves 11/7/14 Dep. 187:25–188:6, 192:2–9, 200:14–23). Barbara stated
she did research online to teach herself how to train Shiloh to help Cordoves’s disability. (See
Barbara 5/28/14 Dep. 130:24–131:6).
She further stated she provided service-dog training
14
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
before the incident, between April and September 2010.
(See id. 128:10–15).
Barbara
elaborated service-dog training is a continuous process: “I start with the obedience training, but
with a dog, you are not going to teach everything at the same time. With the service dog, it is
training, constant training, something else you are going to train him with, it takes its time.”
(Barbara 5/28/14 Dep. 128:19–23). Nevertheless, Cordoves and Barbara both testified Shiloh
was trained to alert on the date of the incident. (See id. 72:19–21; Cordoves 11/7/14 Dep.
193:21–24).
Cordoves further testified Shiloh could alert even from inside his stroller, where he was
during the incident. (See id. 18:17–25). Also, according to Barbara, Shiloh had an ability to
detect and respond to panic attacks “naturally.” (Barbara 6/11/14 Dep. 14:5–8). Defendants
argue Cordoves’s assertion Shiloh does a task naturally does not help prove Shiloh was trained to
do that task. (See Reply 1–2). But Shiloh’s predisposition to do certain tasks is relevant, as it
bears on how much and what kind of individual training Shiloh required to ensure he adequately
performed his alleged service task.
Defendants argue there are inconsistencies in testimony relevant to the ADA claim. For
example, Defendants note “Barbara . . . testified that the only training she provided was limited
to teaching the dog to climb up on her mother’s lap.” (Defs. SMF ¶ 30 n.1 (alteration added;
citation omitted)). But then Defendants note “Barbara . . . stated that the only training she
provided was ‘the basic, to sit, stay.’” (Id. ¶ 31 (alteration added; citation omitted)). Of course,
both of these claims controvert Cordoves’s assertion Barbara trained Shiloh to be a service dog.
And yet, inconsistencies and other credibility issues are properly considered by the jury at trial,
not the Court on a motion for summary judgment. See Liberty Lobby, 477 U.S. at 249 (“[A]t the
summary judgment stage the judge’s function is not himself to weigh the evidence and determine
15
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
the truth of the matter but to determine whether there is a genuine issue for trial.” (alteration
added)); Lane v. Celotex Corp., 782 F.2d 1526, 1528 (11th Cir. 1986) (“[T]he district court must
not resolve factual disputes by weighing conflicting evidence, since it is the province of the jury
to assess the probative value of the evidence.” (alteration added; citations omitted)). Defendants’
motion for summary judgment on the ADA claim is therefore denied.
B. False Imprisonment Claims
Cordoves claims Valor and Dadeland falsely imprisoned her. The Florida Supreme Court
has defined false imprisonment as “the unlawful restraint of a person against his will, the gist of
which action is the unlawful detention of the plaintiff and deprivation of his liberty.” Johnson v.
Weiner, 19 So. 2d 699, 171 (Fla. 1944). Valor and Dadeland contend summary judgment on the
false imprisonment claims is proper because Shiloh is not a service animal. (See Mot. 17).
Defendants argue from this premise that, because the mall prohibited pets, and because Cordoves
remained in the mall with Shiloh, Cordoves was trespassing, and therefore Valor and Dadeland’s
restraint of Cordoves was lawful. (See id.). As explained in Part III.A.2, supra, a genuine issue
of fact exists regarding Shiloh’s status as a service animal, and thus summary judgment is not
proper on these grounds.
In what seems to be an alternative argument, Defendants contend regardless of whether
Shiloh was a service dog, Cordoves’s “admitted continued presence in the mall after being
instructed to leave renders her a trespasser.” (Reply 3). This argument assumes that, even if
Cordoves had the right under the ADA to be at the mall with Shiloh, Dadeland could order her to
leave anyway, therefore rendering her a trespasser. It would be odd if the same facts gave
Cordoves a cause of action under the ADA but also made her a criminal. Defendants further
argue “the presence of probable cause to arrest defeats any claim for false arrest or
16
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
imprisonment.” (Mot. 17). As Defendants do not adequately develop the factual or legal basis
for either of these arguments,6 Defendants have not carried their burden of showing the false
imprisonment claims fail as a matter of law. See Microsoft Corp. v. Motorola, Inc., 854 F. Supp.
2d 993, 1000–01 (W.D. Wash. 2012) (“Because Microsoft has failed to properly brief the issues
the court must decide, the court finds that Microsoft has not carried its burden of showing an
absence of material questions of fact and that it is entitled to prevail as a matter of law.”);
Walden v. City of Providence, 495 F. Supp. 2d 245, 257–58 (D.R.I. 2007) (denying summary
judgment for “fail[ure] to offer developed argument about the legal significance” of the issue
before the court (alteration added)). Summary judgment on the false imprisonment claims is
therefore denied.
C. Negligence Claims
Cordoves asserts claims of negligent supervision and security against Valor and
Dadeland. In the briefing, Cordoves bases her negligence claim on two separate theories. The
first theory is Valor and Dadeland are negligent for failing to train their employees to comply
with ADA regulations relating to service animals, which then caused Cordoves to be “expelled,
assaulted, battered, injured and arrested.” (Suppl. Resp. 1–2). Defendants argue this theory fails
because Shiloh is not a service animal. (See Mot. 18). Again, as explained in Part III.A.2, supra,
a genuine issue of fact exists regarding Shiloh’s status as a service animal. Summary judgment
is therefore denied as to this theory of negligence.
Cordoves’s second theory is Dadeland and Valor are negligent for allowing Cordoves to
6
The only cases Defendants cite to develop these arguments, Epstein v. Toys-R-Us Delaware, Inc., 277 F.
Supp. 2d 1266 (S.D. Fla. 2003), and Egwuatu v. Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp., No. 8:10CV-996-T-33TGW, 2011 WL 2413833 (M.D. Fla. June 10, 2011), are inapposite because although they
address trespass in a place of public accommodation, they do not involve a plaintiff claiming a competing
right to access under the ADA. To the extent these cases stand for any broader proposition, Defendants
again have not adequately developed the facts or law in support of their arguments.
17
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
be falsely imprisoned and assaulted. (See Suppl. Resp. 2). Dadeland and Valor argue this theory
fails as a matter of law. (See Reply 4). “A claim for negligence cannot be premised solely on a
defendant’s alleged commission of an intentional tort.” Brown v. J.C. Penney Corp., Inc., 521 F.
App’x 922, 924 (11th Cir. 2013) (citing City of Miami v. Sanders, 672 So. 2d 46, 48 (Fla. 3d
DCA 1996)). Assault and battery are intentional torts and therefore cannot form the sole basis of
a claim for negligence. See Sanders, 672 So. 2d at 47–48. False imprisonment is also an
intentional tort, see Bartley v. Kim’s Enter. of Orlando, Inc., 568 F. App’x 827, 831 (11th Cir.
2014); Johnson v. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc., 437 F.3d 1112, 1115 (11th Cir. 2006), and
therefore cannot form the sole basis of a claim for negligence. Accordingly, to the extent
Cordoves relies on this “intentional tort” theory of negligence, Dadeland and Valor are entitled
to summary judgment.
D. Section 1983 Claim
Pompee argues he is entitled to qualified immunity from the excessive force claim
asserted against him under 42 U.S.C. section 1983. (See Mot. 19). According to Pompee, the
force he used in arresting Cordoves was de minimis under the totality of the circumstances, and
therefore he did not violate Cordoves’s Fourth Amendment right to be free from an unreasonable
search and seizure. (See id.). Further, assuming he did employ excessive force, no case law put
Pompee on notice his acts violated the Fourth Amendment. (See id.). Cordoves responds “the
record has sufficient facts to show that a constitutional violation occurred” (Resp. 53), and
furthermore, “Eleventh Circuit case law placed Pompee on notice” his actions were
unconstitutional (id. 54).
1. Qualified Immunity
“Qualified immunity offers complete protection for government officials sued in their
18
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
individual capacities if their conduct ‘does not violate clearly established statutory or
constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known.’” Kingsland v. City of
Miami, 382 F.3d 1220, 1231 (11th Cir. 2004) (quoting Vinyard v. Wilson, 311 F.3d 1340, 1346
(11th Cir. 2002)). To establish the qualified immunity defense, a government official must
demonstrate the acts complained of were committed within the scope of the official’s
discretionary authority. See id. at 1232. Once the official has done so, “the burden shifts to the
plaintiff to show that qualified immunity is not appropriate.” Lee v. Ferraro, 284 F.3d 1188,
1194 (11th Cir. 2002); see also McClish v. Nugent, 483 F.3d 1231, 1237 (11th Cir. 2007).
To abrogate an official’s qualified immunity, a plaintiff must first show the facts, taken in
the light most favorable to the plaintiff, demonstrate the official violated a constitutional right.
See Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194, 201 (2001); Sharp v. Fisher, 532 F.3d 1180, 1183 (11th Cir.
2008); McClish, 483 F.3d at 1237. Even if the facts demonstrate a violation, the plaintiff has the
additional burden of showing the violated constitutional right was “clearly established” at the
time of the violation in order to survive summary judgment. See Saucier, 533 U.S. at 201;
Sharp, 532 F.3d at 1183; McClish, 483 F.3d at 1237. Decisions of the United States Supreme
Court, the Eleventh Circuit, and the Supreme Court of Florida can clearly establish law in this
jurisdiction. McClish, 483 F.3d at 1237. For the law to be “clearly established,” it must be so
clear that every objectively reasonable official understands it to prohibit the challenged act. See
Vinyard, 311 F.3d at 1353. The purpose of this requirement is to “ensure that before they are
subjected to suit, officers are on notice their conduct is unlawful.” Saucier, 533 U.S. at 206.
That the very act (or something materially similar to it) in question has previously
been held unlawful by a court is not always necessary. But in light of preexisting
law, the unlawfulness must be apparent: plain, clear, obvious. Unless the
government official’s act is so obviously wrong, in the light of preexisting law,
that only a plainly incompetent official or one who was knowingly violating the
law would have committed the act, the official is entitled to qualified immunity.
19
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
Snider v. Jefferson State Cmty. Coll., 344 F.3d 1325, 1328 (11th Cir. 2003).
It is undisputed Pompee was a government official performing discretionary functions at
the time of the conduct at issue. Therefore, the burden shifts to Cordoves to overcome the
qualified immunity defense by demonstrating Pompee violated a clearly established statutory or
constitutional right.
2. Excessive Force
“The Fourth Amendment’s freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures
encompasses the plain right to be free from the use of excessive force in the course of an arrest.”
Ferraro, 284 F.3d at 1197. In evaluating an excessive force claim under the Fourth Amendment,
the court must inquire “whether the officers’ actions are ‘objectively reasonable’ in light of the
facts and circumstances confronting them, without regard to their underlying intent or
motivation.” Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 397 (1989) (citations omitted).
The
reasonableness analysis requires careful consideration of a number of factors, including “the
severity of the crime at issue, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of the
officers or others, and whether he is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by
flight.” Id. at 396.
Under Florida law, officers are permitted to make a full custodial arrest whether the
offense is a felony or a misdemeanor. See Durruthy v. Pastor, 351 F.3d 1080, 1093 (11th Cir.
2003) (citing FLA. STAT. § 901.15(1)).
The Fourth Amendment permits law enforcement
officers “to use some degree of physical coercion or threat thereof to effect” an arrest. Graham,
490 U.S. at 396. “[T]he use of force is an expected, necessary part of a law enforcement
officer’s task of subduing and securing individuals suspected of committing crimes.” Ferraro,
284 F.3d at 1200. Therefore, “the application of de minimis force, without more, will not
20
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
support a claim for excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment.” Nolin v. Isbell, 207
F.3d 1253, 1257 (11th Cir. 2000). “[Q]ualified immunity is appropriate in close cases where a
reasonable officer could have believed that his actions were lawful.” Ferraro, 284 F.3d at 1200.
Courts have held a variety of behaviors reasonable in executing an arrest under
circumstances similar to those presented here. For example, in Croom v. Balkwill, as officers
stormed a house to execute a search warrant, they ordered an elderly woman seated in the front
yard to “hit the ground.” 645 F.3d 1240, 1245 (11th Cir. 2011). The woman told an officer near
her she had arthritis and could not get down all the way, so she squatted instead. See id. The
officer then pushed her to the ground and held her there with a foot on her back for ten minutes.
See id. Despite the fact the woman was elderly and merely the occupant of a house subject to a
search warrant, the Eleventh Circuit found the force the officer used, although perhaps not “truly
necessary under the circumstances,” was de minimis. Id. at 1252.
In a similar case, Jones v. City of Dothan, Alabama, a man suspected of harassing and
chasing a woman was confronted by police officers in a restaurant and “escorted . . . by his arm
and belt” outside for questioning. 121 F.3d 1456, 1458 (11th Cir. 1997) (alteration added). The
suspect asked the officers why they were doing this, telling them “he had not done anything
wrong, had previously suffered a stroke, and was currently taking medication.” Id. Once
outside, however, the officers “‘slammed’ [the man] against a wall, kicked his legs apart,
required him to put his arms above his head, and pulled his wallet from his pants pocket. In the
process, his pants were torn and the wallet contents were scattered on the ground.” Id. (alteration
added). The forced lifting of his arms caused the man pain due to his recent stroke, and the
kicking gave him pain in his arthritic knees. See id. at 1460. The Eleventh Circuit held even
though the use of force may have been unnecessary, it was nevertheless not excessive. See id. at
21
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
1460–61; see also Nolin, 207 F.3d at 1255 (grabbing the plaintiff from behind by his shoulder
and wrists, throwing him against a van three or four feet away, kneeing him in the back, pushing
his head into the side of the van, searching his groin area in an uncomfortable manner, and
handcuffing him was not excessive force); Durruthy, 351 F.3d at 1085 (grabbing the plaintiff
from behind, pulling him to the ground, struggling to pin his arms behind him, kneeing him in
the back, and holding him down to handcuff him was not excessive force); Woodruff v. City of
Trussville, 434 F. App’x 852, 853, 855 (11th Cir. 2011) (punching plaintiff in the face, forcefully
removing him from his car, and slamming him onto the pavement, causing him to strike his head,
was de minimis force); Draper v. Reynolds, 369 F.3d 1270, 1278 (11th Cir. 2004) (using taser
gun to subdue and handcuff an uncooperative plaintiff was de minimis force); Bryan v. Spillman,
217 F. App’x 882, 886 (11th Cir. 2007) (pushing plaintiff against a car, holding his head against
it, and conducting a “rough search” of his genitals was de minimis force).
The burden is on Cordoves to show Pompee used excessive force. Cordoves cites five
cases in an attempt to meet this burden. (See Resp. 51–52, 54). In four of these cases, the
critical fact making the officers’ force excessive was that the plaintiffs were already arrested and
secured, thus rendering the officers’ application of force unnecessary. See Ferraro, 284 F.3d at
1199 (“Once an arrestee has been fully secured, such force is wholly unnecessary to any
legitimate law enforcement purpose.”). In Ferraro, the officer used excessive force because he
took plaintiff “to the back of her car and slammed her head against the trunk after she was
arrested and secured in handcuffs.” 284 F.3d at 1198 (emphasis in original). In Hadley v.
Gutierrez, the officer used excessive force when he “punched [plaintiff] in the stomach while he
was handcuffed and not struggling or resisting.”
526 F.3d 1324, 1330 (11th Cir. 2008)
(alterations added). In Slicker v. Jackson, the officers used excessive force because, “after
22
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
[plaintiff] was handcuffed, the officers repeatedly hit his head on the pavement, kicked him, and
knocked him unconscious.” 215 F.3d 1225, 1233 (11th Cir. 2000) (alterations added). And in
Galvez v. Bruce, the court found excessive force because, after the plaintiff was handcuffed, the
officer “repeatedly slamm[ed] a fully secured and compliant [plaintiff] against the corner of a
concrete wall, with force sufficient to break [his] ribs and cause a leaking aneurysm.” 552 F.3d
1238, 1245 (11th Cir. 2008) (alterations added).
In the fifth case Cordoves cites, Reese v. Herbert, after finding no probable cause to
arrest, the Eleventh Circuit found excessive force under a particularly brutal set of facts. See 527
F.3d 1253, 1273–74 (11th Cir. 2008). The officers first “slung [plaintiff] against a wall in a
choke hold, struck him, and then threw him to the ground.” Id. at 1273 (alteration added). Next,
they piled on top of him, kicked him, and beat him while he lay face down. See id. The officers
then “continued twisting his arm behind his back despite his repeated screams that they were
breaking his arm.” Id. Additionally, one officer “applied a pressure point technique on his
neck,” and another “pepper-sprayed [him] in the face” after his left arm had been handcuffed.
Id. (alteration added). At no point did the plaintiff fight back or attempt to flee, and the only
crime with which he was subsequently charged was nonviolently resisting arrest. See id.
3. Analysis
Although the Court accepts as true for purposes of summary judgment Cordoves’s
“version of what happened,” Draper, 369 F.3d at 1272, the question under the excessive force
analysis is “whether the officer’s conduct is objectively reasonable in light of the facts
confronting the officer,” Vinyard, 311 F.3d at 1347. Accordingly, the Court uses Cordoves’s
narrative to determine the facts confronting Pompee, and then the Court analyzes whether
Pompee’s conduct was objectively reasonable.
23
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
When Pompee initiated Cordoves’s arrest,7 he had been informed not only that she hit
Caminero, but also that she disobeyed Caminero’s order to leave the mall. Knowing that, a
reasonable officer could conclude Cordoves was a safety threat and was attempting to evade
arrest. The force Pompee thereafter employed in an attempt to subdue and handcuff Cordoves,
including grabbing her arms, spinning her around, squeezing her, carrying her, slamming her into
a wall, and then throwing her to the ground (after which he never touched her), fell within the
ambit of force permitted by case law in the Eleventh Circuit. See Part III.D.2, supra. Perhaps
some of it was unnecessary, but it was not excessive. See Croom, 645 F.3d at 1252; Jones, 121
F.3d at 1460–61.
The burden, at any rate, is on Cordoves to show Pompee used excessive force. In four of
the cases Cordoves cites — Ferraro, Hadley, Slicker, and Galvez — the force was excessive
because the plaintiffs had already been arrested and secured. Cordoves, however, was never
handcuffed, and it is not as if Pompee delayed in handcuffing her — as Cordoves admitted,
“[e]verything happened very fast.” (Defs. SMF ¶ 79). Additionally, Pompee’s pre-arrest actions
were not nearly as protracted or brutal as the actions of the officers in Reese who, in addition,
were attempting to subdue a plaintiff later charged only with nonviolent resistance to arrest.
Although Cordoves was charged with this crime as well, she was also charged with disorderly
conduct, battery, and trespass.
Cordoves’s Statement of Material Facts suggests certain facts should have alerted
Pompee the force he was using was excessive. As Pompee was squeezing Cordoves from
behind, Cordoves got sweaty and pale, and she started to look like she was about to pass out.
The Court, however, must assess the facts confronting Pompee, and it is entirely reasonable for
an officer in his position to be unaware of the facial expressions of someone facing away from
7
Cordoves does not dispute Pompee had probable cause to arrest her.
24
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
him. Further, Cordoves cites no case law supporting this argument, and in any event, that kind
of physiological reaction could be expected in response to the application of lawful, de minimis
force. Also, during the struggle Cordoves told Pompee she was disabled, but the Eleventh
Circuit has found de minimis force even when individuals told officers they recently had a stroke,
see Jones, 121 F.3d at 1458, or had arthritis, see Croom, 645 F.3d at 1245.
Cordoves points out she fell unconscious while still pressed against the glass, which
made it unnecessary to throw her to the ground. But even if Pompee felt her body go limp, he
could not see her face. An officer in his position reasonably could have concluded not that
Cordoves fell unconscious, but rather that she was feigning a fall to avoid being handcuffed or
was even just slipping. Finally, although Cordoves suffered physical and psychological injuries
and even had to undergo surgery as a result of the incident, “[w]hat would ordinarily be
considered reasonable force does not become excessive force when the force aggravates
(however severely) a pre-existing condition the extent of which was unknown to the officer at
the time.” Rodriguez v. Farrell, 280 F.3d 1341, 1353 (11th Cir. 2002) (alteration added).
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Cordoves, Pompee used de minimis force.
Assuming Pompee used excessive force, Cordoves has failed to show this was a clear
violation of her constitutional rights. “No particularized, preexisting case law” put Pompee on
notice he was violating her rights, nor did his conduct go “so far beyond the hazy border between
excessive and acceptable force that [he knows that he is] violating the Constitution.” Reese, 527
F.3d at 1274 (alteration in original; internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Cordoves has
not carried the burden of abrogating Pompee’s qualified immunity, and therefore summary
judgment on Cordoves’s claim against Pompee is proper.
25
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
E. Assault and Battery Claim
Cordoves seeks damages against the County for assault and battery on the theory the
County is vicariously liable for Pompee’s use of excessive force pursuant to section 768.28 of
the Florida Statutes. Under Florida law, a police officer conducting an arrest is liable for battery
only if the force the officer used is clearly excessive. See Sanders, 672 So. 2d at 47 (citing
Jennings v. City of Winter Park, 250 So. 2d 900 (Fla. 4th DCA 1971); and RESTATEMENT
(SECOND) OF TORTS § 132 cmt. a (1965)). And because the right under the Florida Constitution
to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures is construed in lockstep with the Fourth
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, see FLA. CONST. Art. 1, § 12; Holland v. State, 696 So. 2d
757, 759 (Fla. 1997), the “excessive force” analysis for a battery claim is identical to the
“excessive force” analysis under the Fourth Amendment. See Sullivan v. City of Pembroke
Pines, 161 F. App’x 906, 911 (11th Cir. 2006) (“For the same reasons we concluded that the
force used by Scopa was not clearly excessive under the law of this Circuit, we also conclude
that it was not clearly excessive according to the similar standard set forth under Florida law.”);
see also Sanchez v. Obando-Echeverry, 716 F. Supp. 2d 1195, 1203 n.8 (S.D. Fla. 2010);
DaSilva v. Lamberti, No. 08-62106-CIV, 2010 WL 680925, at *1 (S.D. Fla. Feb. 24, 2010).
Cordoves argues summary judgment should not be granted on her battery claim against
the County because Pompee’s use of force was clearly excessive. (See Resp. 55–56). The Court
has already found, after construing the facts in the light most favorable to Cordoves, Pompee’s
use of force was not clearly excessive under the Fourth Amendment. See Part III.D.3, supra.
Cordoves’s battery claim against the County is governed by the same analysis, and therefore
summary judgment is proper as to the battery claim.
26
CASE NO. 14-20114-CIV-ALTONAGA/O’Sullivan
F. Concert-of-Action Claims
Finally, Cordoves claims Valor and Dadeland are liable under section 1983 for acting in
concert with Pompee to deprive Cordoves of her constitutional rights.
Defendants argue
summary judgment is proper as to these claims because Cordoves’s constitutional rights were not
violated. (See Mot. 30). Cordoves has not contested this argument, and because the Court has
already found Pompee’s use of force was not clearly excessive under the Fourth Amendment, see
Part III.D.3, supra, summary judgment is proper as to these claims as well.
IV. CONCLUSION
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Cordoves, the Court finds summary
judgment is not proper on Counts III, IV, and V of the Third Amended Complaint. Summary
judgment is also not proper on Counts VI and VIII, except that Cordoves hereafter may not rely
on an “intentional tort” theory of negligence.
Summary judgment is, however, proper on
Counts I, II, and VII. Accordingly, it is
ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the Motion for Summary Judgment [ECF No. 95]
is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part as stated herein.
DONE AND ORDERED in Miami, Florida, this 12th day of March, 2015.
_________________________________
CECILIA M. ALTONAGA
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
cc:
counsel of record
27
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?