JACKSON v. INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION et al

Filing 157

ENTRY Awarding Damages and Directing Entry of Final Judgment - Having previously issued a default judgment as to liability against defendants Cooke and Aydt, and based on a consideration of these injuries, which are undisputed by the defendants, a nd which the Court finds to be sufficient and specific to allow the Court to reach an award, the Court now finds that Jackson is entitled to compensatory damages against Cooke and Aydt, and each of them, in the amount of $35,000. This is the only relief to which the Court finds Jackson to be entitled. Final Judgment consistent with this Entry and with the default issued on May 12, 2016, shall now issue. Jackson is awarded his costs. **SEE ORDER** Copy to Defendants via U.S. Mail. Signed by Judge Tanya Walton Pratt on 9/12/2016.(JLS) Modified on 9/12/2016 (JLS).

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
INDIANAPOLIS DIVISION
CURTIS JACKSON,
Plaintiff,
vs.
COOKE , et al.,
Defendants.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

Case No. 1:13-cv-1378-TWP-MJD

Entry Awarding Damages and Directing Entry of Final Judgment
The Court has previously entered default judgment against defendants Casey Cooke and
Christopher Aydt on the issue of their liability to plaintiff Curtis Jackson on his claims against
them. Dkt. 140 and 141. The Court then directed Jackson to provide evidence of his damages and
explained that Cooke and Aydt should respond to the amount of damages alleged. Jackson
provided a claim for damages on May 26, 2016. Dkt. 143. The defendants did not respond to this
claim for damages. Then, upon consideration of Jackson’s claim for damages, the Court
determined that the claim was not specific enough to allow an award of damages. The Court
therefore provided Jackson with a further opportunity to provide evidence of his damages. Dkt.
151. The Court again provided the defendants with an opportunity to respond to Jackson’s
evidence of damages. Id. The defendants have not done so and Jackson’s claim for damages is
now under consideration.
In his claim for damages, Jackson claims that, as a result of the defendants’ conduct, he
suffers from the following: (1) a twitch in his eye; (2) increased sensitivity to light; (3) constant
pain in his neck which prevents him from physical labor and exercise and which may require

surgery; (4) recurring headaches; and (5) emotional distress including distrust and fear of law
enforcement officers.
Having previously issued a default judgment as to liability against defendants Cooke and
Aydt, and based on a consideration of these injuries, which are undisputed by the defendants, and
which the Court finds to be sufficient and specific to allow the Court to reach an award, the Court
now finds that Jackson is entitled to compensatory damages against Cooke and Aydt, and each of
them, in the amount of $35,000. This is the only relief to which the Court finds Jackson to be
entitled.
Final Judgment consistent with this Entry and with the default issued on May 12, 2016,
shall now issue. Jackson is awarded his costs.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

Date: 9/12/2016
Distribution:
Curtis Jackson
973802
Pendleton Correctional Facility
Electronic Service Participant – Court Only
Cooke
2500 E. Cotton Dr.
Pimento, IN 47866
Christopher Aydt
215 Meridian St.
Worthington, IN 47471