Brookhouser v. State of California

Opinion

BAMATTRE-MANOUKIAN, J.

Sharon Brookhouser, a mentally ill person, failed to return from a short leave from an unlocked board and care facility. Two days later she walked onto a highway and was struck and gravely injured by an automobile. Through a guardian ad litem she sued a number of defendants including the State of California and its employee, social worker Ellen Mary Farr, who had been Brookhouser’s assigned case manager at relevant times. As to all defendants other than Farr and the state, Brookhouser’s claims have been either settled or resolved against her. The superior court…