Pacoima Man Sues City, Alleging His Fingers Were Severed at Jail

SAN FERNANDO —  A Pacoima man has sued the city of Los Angeles, alleging that two of his fingers were cut off last Christmas day when police officers closed a door on his hand at a San Fernando jail, an attorney said Monday.

The lawsuit alleges that Los Angeles police officers jailed Manuel Diaz, 26, after his arrest for a traffic violation.

While at the jail, several police officers grabbed Diaz and threw him against a wall, according to the lawsuit, which was filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court. Officers subsequently allowed Diaz’s hand to be placed in an opening of a door, which they closed, severing two of his fingers, the suit contends.

“It would have been so easy to prevent this from happening,” said Steven A. Lerman, an attorney for Diaz. “What concerns me now is if it turns out they did this on purpose.”

Diaz is seeking general damages, medical expenses, loss of earnings and legal costs. In addition to the city, the lawsuit also lists 25 unnamed police officers as defendants.