Court rules in Angels' favor

The assertion of "manufactured injuries" threatened to undermine the legitimacy of civil rights law, according to the unanimous opinion of a three-judge panel of the state appellate court.

Michael Cohn, a Los Angeles psychologist, sued the Angels in 2006, alleging discrimination under the Unruh Civil Rights Act. Orange County Superior Court Judge Jonathan Cannon threw out the suit last year, and the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled Friday that the Unruh Act did not apply.

"This important piece of legislation provides a safeguard against the many real harms that so often accompany discrimination," Justice Kathleen O'Leary wrote in the opinion. "For this reason, it is imperative we not denigrate its power and efficacy by applying it to manufactured injuries such as those alleged by the plaintiff in this case."

The court ruled there was no discrimination in a "promotional gift" provided to women so long as the Angels did not discount the admission price for women.

The court also rejected Cohn's demand that the Angels reimburse the fees for his attorney. He argued he had in fact won the case because the team gave away bags the following year to all fans, regardless of gender.

No payment is in order, the court ruled, because the Angels changed their policy not to comply with the law but to avoid "another costly and irksome lawsuit."

Shaikin is a Times staff writer.

bill.shaikin@latimes.com