Dodgers Fan Blinded by LAPD Projectile Awarded $11.8 Million

Jury finds excessive force used during 2020 World Series celebration

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:21am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered plastic projectile casing against a pitch-black background, capturing the harsh, gritty details of the object to conceptually illustrate the violence of less-lethal crowd control tactics.A shattered police projectile casing highlights the violent impact of less-lethal weapons used against crowds.Los Angeles Today

A federal jury has awarded $11.8 million to Isaac Castellanos, a Los Angeles Dodgers fan who was permanently blinded in one eye when he was struck by a police projectile during a 2020 World Series celebration in downtown LA. Castellanos sued the LAPD, alleging officers used excessive force and violated department policies when they fired less-lethal weapons into the crowd where he was standing peacefully.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns over the LAPD's use of less-lethal projectile weapons at protests and large gatherings, which have resulted in numerous injuries and lawsuits in recent years. The massive jury award could put pressure on the department and city leaders to further restrict the use of these crowd control tactics.

The details

Castellanos, a 22-year-old Cal State Long Beach student at the time, said he was celebrating the Dodgers' World Series win near Crypto.com Arena when LAPD officers fired less-lethal projectiles into the crowd. His attorneys argued the officers used the 37-mm 'skip trace' launchers from too far away, causing the rounds to strike Castellanos in the face and permanently blind him in one eye. The LAPD claimed they were responding to violent groups vandalizing businesses, but Castellanos and others said the gathering was largely peaceful.

  • On October 28, 2020, Castellanos was struck by a police projectile during Dodgers World Series celebrations in downtown LA.
  • In 2026, a federal jury awarded Castellanos $11.8 million in his lawsuit against the LAPD.

The players

Isaac Castellanos

A 22-year-old Cal State Long Beach student who was permanently blinded in one eye when he was struck by a police projectile during Dodgers World Series celebrations in 2020.

LAPD

The Los Angeles Police Department, which Castellanos sued for allegedly using excessive force and violating department policies when officers fired less-lethal weapons into the crowd where he was standing.

Pedram Esfandiary

One of Castellanos' attorneys, who argued the LAPD used the 37-mm 'skip trace' launchers from too far away, causing the rounds to strike Castellanos in the face.

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What they’re saying

“This was just another nail in that coffin that this has to stop.”

— Pedram Esfandiary, Attorney for Isaac Castellanos

What’s next

The jury award will likely be appealed and still needs approval from city leaders before Castellanos can receive the $11.8 million in damages.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over the LAPD's use of less-lethal projectile weapons at protests and large gatherings, which have resulted in numerous injuries and lawsuits in recent years. The massive jury award could put pressure on the department and city leaders to further restrict these crowd control tactics.