Dodger Fan Awarded $11.8M After LAPD Blinding

Jury finds officers liable for excessive force and negligence in 2020 incident.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:40pm

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A federal jury awarded $11.8 million in damages to a Dodger fan who was blinded in one eye by a police projectile during a 2020 World Series celebration in downtown Los Angeles. Isaac Castellanos, who was 22 at the time, filed a civil rights lawsuit alleging LAPD officers fired 'less-lethal' rounds into a peaceful crowd without warning, permanently injuring him.

Why it matters

The case highlights ongoing concerns about the LAPD's use of force tactics and accountability for injuries caused during crowd control operations, especially in the context of celebratory gatherings. It also raises questions about the safety and appropriate deployment of 'less-lethal' projectiles by law enforcement.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Castellanos was trying to leave the celebrations near Crypto.com Arena in October 2020 when he was struck directly in the right eye by a projectile fired by an LAPD officer. The jury found two officers liable for excessive force and negligence after deliberating for just a few hours.

  • The incident occurred in October 2020 during celebrations after the Dodgers won the World Series.
  • Castellanos filed the civil rights lawsuit in February 2022.
  • The federal trial began on April 7, 2026.
  • The jury reached its $11.8 million verdict on April 16, 2026.

The players

Isaac Castellanos

A 27-year-old Dodger fan who was 22 years old at the time of the incident, when he was permanently blinded in one eye by an LAPD projectile.

Pedram Esfandiary

The attorney representing Castellanos in the civil rights lawsuit.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)

The law enforcement agency whose officers were found liable for the excessive force and negligence that led to Castellanos' injury.

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What they’re saying

“This young man was peacefully celebrating a historic sports moment. He walked away with a catastrophic injury that will affect him for the rest of his life. This case is about accountability, and about ending the LAPD's dangerous practice of firing projectiles into civilian crowds.”

— Pedram Esfandiary, Castellanos' attorney

What’s next

The LAPD has not commented on the verdict, but the department may face additional scrutiny and potential policy changes regarding the use of 'less-lethal' projectiles in crowd control situations.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for law enforcement agencies to exercise extreme caution and proper training when deploying any type of force, even 'less-lethal' projectiles, in the context of celebratory or protest gatherings. The high damages award also highlights the significant personal and financial toll that can result from such incidents.