A man who suffered severe burns all over his body when police in Northern California held him to the pavement on a hot summer day has filed a claim with the city of Citrus Heights for more than $26 million in compensation.
James Bradford Nelson III, age 28, was held to asphalt that was likely near 170 degrees Fahrenheit for at least five minutes, on June 23, a day when temperatures on the sidewalk’s asphalt reached 170f in the Sacramento neighborhood.
‘During this time on the ground Nelson was screaming and yelling in excruciating pain,’ the claim reads.
‘However, the officers forced his head down onto the hot pavement, leaning onto it with such force that Nelson could not move it for relief, exposing the right side of his face and neck to the scorching heat of the concrete.’
Citrus Heights Police had detained Nelson, after it was reported he was acting erratically in a KFC restaurant on the 7000 block of Auburn Boulevard, the Sacramento Bee reported.
Warning: GRAPHIC CONTENT ()
James Bradford Nelson III, age 28, suffered severe burns all over his body when police in Northern California held him to the pavement on a hot summer day has filed a claim with the city of Citrus Heights for more than $26 million in compensation
The claim, which was filed on Nelson’s behalf by attorney Mark Thiel, says Citrus Heights officers involved in the June 23 incident used excessive force and ‘assaulted and battered’ Nelson.
The claim states his injuries ‘were the direct and proximate result’ of the department’s policies, training and practices.
Nelson had to undergo skin graft surgeries and treatment for liver and kidney failure related to his injuries, according to the claim.
The claim also states the incident left him with physical scars, post traumatic stress disorder and permanent disabilities.
This type of claim usually precedes a civil lawsuit for damages.
Following extensive injuries to his face, torso, legs and buttocks, Nelson was hospitalized for almost two months and spent weeks of that time in intensive care in the UC Davis burn unit
He racked up $1.8 million in medical bills, and also seeks $25 million in general damages, and an unspecified amount in punitive damages for his extensive injuries
Citrus Heights police chief Ronald Lawrence said the city is reviewing Nelson’s claim and intends to respond.
This is ‘something that will involve the judicial system, and will not be resolved in the court of public opinion,’ Lawrence said, while he declined to comment further to the Sacramento Bee.
Previously, Lawrence reportedly said his officers had to force Nelson to the ground, as he was being and trying to escape police custody.
Once officers realized Nelson was burned, Lawrence said, the officers poured water on his body and called paramedics.
Footage obtained from security cameras that recorded the events leading up to Nelson’s arrest on June 23 reportedly show the man in the KFC restaurant
Nelson can be seen without a shirt on, moving quickly about inside the fast food establishment
He was gesturing emphatically before attempting to hit the manager, and seemingly reaching toward the back pockets of another man’s pants, as well as diving over the restaurant counter
Nelson was unconscious when he was placed into an ambulance, 20 minutes after his arrest and the forceful pinning of his body and face to the hot ground.
Following extensive injuries to his face, torso, legs and buttocks, Nelson was hospitalized for almost two months and spent weeks of that time in intensive care in the UC Davis burn unit, racking up $1.8 million in medical bills.
He also seeks $25 million in general damages, and an unspecified amount in punitive damages for his extensive injuries.
Footage obtained from security cameras that recorded the events leading up to Nelson’s arrest on June 23 reportedly show the man in the KFC restaurant, without a shirt on, moving quickly about inside the fast food establishment and gesturing emphatically.
Nelson had to undergo skin graft surgeries and treatment for liver and kidney failure related to his injuries, according to the claim
The claim also states the incident left him with physical scars, post traumatic stress disorder and permanent disabilities
Nelson then is shown attempting to hit the manager, and seemingly reaching toward the back pockets of another man’s pants, as well as diving over the restaurant counter.
Nelson was initially charged by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office attempted robbery, being under the influence of a controlled substance and resisting a police officer.
However, it was reported that due to the ‘unique facts and circumstances’ of the case, he was instead charged only with a parole violation, with all other charges being dropped.
Nelson has been charged with crimes ranging from felony attempted robbery, burglary and larceny to misdemeanor drug possession, and other offenses, over the past decade.
Nelson is currently in custody at the Sacramento County jail, charged with larceny and drug offenses, according to court records.
Nelson is reported to suffer from multiple mental health issues, including paranoid schizophrenia, his legal claim states.
His mental illness ‘is exacerbated in extreme conditions of weather,’ it reads.
Nelson is currently in custody at the Sacramento County jail, charged with larceny and drug offenses, according to court records