(Worthington, Mn.)– A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit the American Civil Liberties Union filed against the city of Worthington and it’s police department.
The suit was filed on behalf of Kelvin Rodriguez of Sheldon. It alleged police used excessive force against Rodriguez that resulted in him being hospitalized in intensive care for five days, resulting in several surgeries. The suit alleged that Rodriguez sustained four broken ribs along with lacerations to his pancreas and liver, and that he was denied immediate access to medical treatment after requesting it. The suit says when the assistance was allowed later, the injuries were so severe Rodriguez had to be airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital. It says his medical bills came to nearly $150,000.
The settlement that was reached was for $590,000 and does not include any admission of wrongdoing by the city of Worthington, it’s Police Department or its officers.
It’s the second time the ACLU has sued that city for excessive force. The earlier case involved a young man who was allegedly punched and kneed by officers with the Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force while he was seat-belted in his vehicle.
