WILLIAM D. SHAPIRO LAW, INC. SECURES $28 MILLION SETTLEMENT FOR CHILD CATASTROPHICALLY INJURED IN ORANGE COUNTY CHILD WELFARE CASE

Orange County, CA — William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. is pleased to announce a landmark $28 million settlement on behalf of five-year-old Izabella Hooker, who suffered profound and permanent brain damage after being placed in unsafe housing by the Orange County Social Services Agency (OCSSA).

This settlement highlights major systemic failures within Orange County’s child welfare system and underscores the importance of rigorous safety protocols in child placements.

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A Life-Altering Placement

Izabella was a healthy newborn when OCSSA removed her from her parents’ home without conducting proper safety assessments or background checks. She was placed with her paternal grandmother in a two-bedroom apartment that housed ten people—including an adult male with multiple domestic violence convictions. Despite the overcrowded and clearly high-risk environment, Izabella remained there until a tragic day when she was found face-down in her bassinet, struggling to breathe. She was rushed to San Antonio Hospital, then transferred to Loma Linda Children’s Hospital, where she was diagnosed with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) and retinal hemorrhages due to suffocation.

Exposing Systemic Failures

Attorney William D. Shapiro and his team argued that OCSSA violated state laws mandating thorough safety assessments and criminal background checks before placing children with non-parental caregivers. By failing to fulfill these most basic requirements, OCSSA placed Izabella at extreme risk. The catastrophic result was a life-altering brain injury that left Izabella a quadriplegic with significantly reduced cognitive capacity.

“Our goal was not only to secure justice and compensation for Izabella but also to shed light on the systemic breakdowns within the child welfare system,” said Mr. Shapiro. “No child should ever be subjected to such a negligent placement.”

Fighting for Justice and Systemic Change

William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. pursued comprehensive legal action to ensure both fair compensation for Izabella and meaningful reforms within OCSSA. The team’s commitment prompted the agency to re-examine its policies and the conduct of the staff involved.

Today, Izabella requires 24/7 supervision and care for all human functions. She remains bed and wheelchair-bound, cannot speak, and will require specialized medical support and rehabilitative care for the rest of her life. Tragically, her life expectancy has been reduced by approximately 50 years.

$28 Million Settlement and a Call to Action

The $28 million settlement will cover Izabella’s extensive medical and rehabilitative needs, including ongoing therapies, specialized education, and assistive care. This financial support will help improve her quality of life and alleviate the tremendous burden on her family.

“While no amount of money can fully repair what Izabella and her family have suffered, this settlement will provide vital resources for her daily care and living needs,” Mr. Shapiro emphasized. “We also hope it sends a strong message that agencies tasked with protecting children must be held accountable when they fail to do so.”

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. at (909) 890-1000. In addition to our location in San Bernardino, the firm will open its second location in Santa Ana on May 1, 2025. 

About William D. Shapiro Law, Inc.
William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. has served California for over 46 years and has earned multiple 7 and 8 figure results for catastrophic injuries (see our results). With our decades of experience, the firm prides itself on fighting for justice, ensuring accountability, and striving for systemic improvements to protect the most vulnerable members of society.