How much has Albuquerque paid out in litigation settlements in the third quarter of the fiscal year?

The city of Albuquerque paid out $1.2 million in lawsuit settlements in the third quarter of the fiscal year, from January to March. Albuquerque’s legal team also has 10 victories — lawsuits that were dismissed or decided in the city’s favor.

Here is what the city has paid out and why, according to a report compiled by the city legal department for the Albuquerque City Council:

City settlements over $10,000

The city paid $1.2 million in settlements greater than $10,000 in the third quarter of the fiscal year. Most of the settlements were related to car accidents, including several that involved pedestrians.

$550,000. A man alleged that a city employee ran a red light and hit his car in 2020, causing significant personal injuries.

$37,000. The plaintiff alleged damages and personal injuries after a senior affairs vehicle rear-ended their vehicle at a merge point.

$30,000. The city paid $30,000 to a woman who sought statutory damages because of a delay in documents related to her criminal matters. The documents were requested through an Inspection of Public Records Act request.

$100,000. A plaintiff alleged personal injuries after a vehicle collision that involved the Albuquerque Police Department.

$25,000. A plaintiff claimed damages and alleged injuries and negligence from a car theft incident.

$20,000. A plaintiff alleged they broke their ankle after tripping and falling on the sidewalk outside of Presbyterian Hospital.

$29,500. Plaintiffs said they were injured after a vehicle collision with a solid waste management vehicle.

$125,000. Plaintiffs alleged personal injury and damages after a bike accident.

$25,000. Plaintiffs alleged damages because of a wrongful death after a pedestrian and motor vehicle accident.

$10,000. The city paid $10,000 to a plaintiff who injured their shoulder after falling on a sidewalk at the intersection of Los Valles and Los Cerros in 2020.

$10,000. A plaintiff sought damages because of a delay in personnel files requested through the Inspection of Public Records Act.

$225,000. A plaintiff sued the city alleging a crosswalk was poorly maintained and alleging they were injured after a pedestrian-motor vehicle collision.

$25,000. A personal representative alleged damages after Albuquerque police officers released a canine to apprehend a suspect.

City settlements under $10,000

The city paid $30,523 in settlements less than $10,000 in the third quarter of the fiscal year from January to March. In one case, a plaintiff claimed the city was at fault for a car accident because of malfunctioning traffic lights.

$2,210. A woman sought statutory damages because of an alleged delay in the production of APD materials related to her criminal matters.

$5,790. A plaintiff sought damages based on a delay in getting materials related to her criminal matters requested through the Inspection of Public Records Act.

$7,000. A plaintiff alleged personal injury after a city bus driver deployed a wheelchair ramp into their legs.

$3,750. A plaintiff alleged personal injuries after a car accident. In 2021, two drivers believed they had a green light and crashed in an intersection. One of those vehicles crashed into the plaintiff’s car. The plaintiff alleged that the traffic lights had a history of malfunctions.

$2,617. A plaintiff sought damages based on an alleged delay in receiving email communications between an Albuquerque police officer and a Bernalillo County assistant district attorney.

$1,156. A plaintiff alleged a violation of the New Mexico Human Rights Act and the New Mexico Whistleblower Protection Act.

$8,000. A plaintiff alleged violation of the New Mexico Human Rights Act and that she did not receive a promotion because of age discrimination.

City victories

The city can claim victory in 10 lawsuits for the third quarter of the fiscal year.

• A plaintiff alleged that Albuquerque police officers violated his civil rights, including with a warrantless search and seizure and wrongful arrest. The 10th Circuit Court issued a mandate in favor of the city in November and no appeal has been filed.
• A man rolled his car across a median and was then hit by another vehicle, but the section of road where the accident happened was county property, so the assistant city attorney negotiated dismissal for the city.
• A plaintiff alleged age discrimination as a reason he did not get a promotion. The case was dismissed and the city’s motion for summary judgment was granted.
• A plaintiff brought civil rights claims alleging that the Albuquerque Police Department impounded their vehicle as a stolen vehicle in 2021 even though they should have known that it was not stolen. The case was dismissed via a motions practice.
• A plaintiff’s home was foreclosed and he was removed from the house. Albuquerque police were called after he went back into the house. The plaintiff alleged damages after he was removed from the property. The plaintiff’s 10th Circuit Court appeal was denied.
• A plaintiff alleged damages related to a wrongful death after someone interacted with law enforcement then subsequently died by suicide in 2020. A dismissal was granted.
• A plaintiff alleged damages related to issues around housing at Inn Town Suites. The plaintiff did not articulate a claim against the city, but it seems like they may have had a negative interaction on a Sun Van. A dismissal was granted.
• Plaintiffs alleged personal injury after a railroad crossing arm crashed onto their car in 2021. The city does not maintain or operate the railroad crossing, so the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the city from the lawsuit.
• Plaintiffs alleged wrongful death following a police vehicle pursuit. At trial, the verdict was for the defense.
• A plaintiff alleged damages because of “multiple criminal events” but did not articulate a claim against the city. The matter was dismissed in favor of the city.