LaToya Ratlieff, a protester who suffered severe injuries after being hit in the face with a rubber bullet fired by a Fort Lauderdale Police officer during a 2020 protest, was awarded nearly $2 million in a settlement with the city of Fort Lauderdale. The protest was part of a nationwide movement following the death of George Floyd, NBC Miami reports.
The harrowing incident, which resulted in a broken eye socket, nerve damage, and a gash requiring 20 stitches, took place as Ratlieff was tear-gassed, and subsequently disoriented she stumbled into a street. The Fort Lauderdale City Commission came to a unanimous decision yesterday to settle the civil lawsuit for a sum of $1,975,000. Despite this financial resolution, the detective who fired the rubber bullet was cleared of all wrongdoing in 2021.
In response to the city's decision, Ratlieff expressed a sense of relief, telling NBC Miami, "It was like this very, very huge weight has been lifted off my shoulder." She added, "I can finally say, 'This is done. I got justice.'" However, Ratlieff still copes with lasting physical and emotional trauma, emphasizing that "physically, there’s a part of me that will never be the same."
Her attorney, Benedict Kuehne, hailed the settlement as a victory for community standards, pointing to mandated changes in police tactical and training policies aimed at protecting the community. According to a statement obtained by CBS News Miami, "Not only must the City pay $1.97 million to LaToya for the senseless police shooting that nearly blinded her and caused life-impacting injuries, but the Fort Lauderdale Police Department must implement progressive tactical and training policies that will protect the community."
The round that struck Ratlieff was supposed to be non-lethal, aimed at lower extremities to avoid critical injury. Despite this, Ratlieff was one of the several individuals who faced the brunt of the force used by law enforcement to disperse the crowd. While the officers involved were protected under qualified immunity, the judge determined that the city could still be held accountable for civil rights violations against protesters.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis offered an apology for the injuries sustained by Ratlieff but noted his surprise at the lawsuit. In a statement obtained by NBC Miami, he said, "We know it was painful. We’re very sorry about that. We’re just happy to be able to resolve the matter tonight and put it behind us." Conversely, Ratlieff underscored her desire for reform, critiquing the mayor's remarks as disheartening while reaffirming her commitment to seeing systemic change within the police department.
