JOHNSON et al v. CITY OF PHILADELPHIA et al

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
____________________________________
:
CHERYL JOHNSON, et al. 	:
:
v. 	: 	NO. 21-CV-5541
:
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, et al. 	:
____________________________________:
O R D E R
AND NOW, this 6th day of January, 2026, upon consideration of the Petition for
Approval of Minors' Compromise filed by Petitioners Cheryl Johnson, and Jonathan J. James,
Esquire, docketed as ECF Doc. No. 53, and for good cause shown, it is hereby ORDERED as
follows:
1. 	The Petition is GRANTED.
2. 	The proposed global settlement in the total amount of $60,000.00 allocated for minor
Plaintiff S.M., is APPROVED as fair, reasonable, and in the best interests of the minor
Plaintiffs S.M.
3. 	The allocation and distribution of the gross settlement proceeds is APPROVED as follows:
a. $19,729.17 to Petitioners' counsel, Jonathan J. James, Esquire, and James, Schwartz, and
Associates, P.C., as attorneys' fees; b. $812.50 to reimburse counsel for advanced costs and
expenses; c, the remaining $39,458.33 to be allocated for minor Plaintiff, S.M., under the
Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Act.
4. 	The net proceeds allocated to minor Plaintiff S.M., ($39,458.33) shall be deposited into
separate interest-bearing, federally insured blocked accounts at a financial institution
approved by the Court, in the name of the minor, with the respective natural guardian
Cheryl Johnson for S.M., as custodian. No withdrawals from these accounts shall be
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permitted until the minor reaches the age of 18, except upon further order of this Court for
demonstrated necessity, such as educational or medical needs. Petitioners shall file proof
of such deposits with the Court within 30 days of receipt of the funds.
5. 	Petitioners Cheryl Johnson and Jonathan J. James, Esquire, are AUTHORIZED to execute
all necessary releases, settlement agreements, and other documents required to effectuate
the settlement on behalf of the minor Plaintiff and the Estate.
6. 	Upon receipt and distribution of the settlement funds as approved herein, the parties shall
file a stipulation of dismissal with prejudice pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
41(a)(1)(A)(ii) and this action shall be dismissed with prejudice.
7. 	The Court shall retain jurisdiction over this matter for the purpose of enforcing the terms
of this Order.
BY THE COURT:
/s/ Scott W. Reid
___________________________________
SCOTT W. REID
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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