SETTLEMENT RECOMMENDED FOR INJURED INMATE.

Byline: Daily News

The Los Angeles County Claims Board on Monday recommended a $750,000 settlement for a man who suffered significant brain damage when he was attacked by four inmates at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic.

Anthony Fernandez was arrested April 23, 2004, convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to 180 days in jail, according to a report by Principal Deputy County Counsel Ruben Baeza Jr.

While housed at a North Facility dormitory at Pitchess, Fernandez was assaulted by four inmates. At the time, the deputy assigned to the dormitory control office had left her post, believing that another deputy was on his way to relieve her. She was mistaken and her post was left vacant for about 20 minutes, Baeza wrote.

``It is likely a jury would conclude that the deputy was negligent in the performance of her duties,'' Baeza wrote.

A Sheriff's Department investigation found that the assailants were angry at Fernandez because he had taken property of one of his attackers, Baeza wrote. They had beaten him in an area of the dormitory where they knew it would be difficult for deputies to monitor them.

As a result of the attack, Fernandez suffers from blurred vision, slurred speech, impaired balance and impaired judgment.

The Board of Supervisors will vote Sept. 5 whether to give final approval to the settlement.