Probate Court can award compensatory damages against government actors guilty of contempt, despite immunity statute

At his family's request, the Kent County Probate Courtt ordered the Sheriff's Department to detain Stephen Bradley and place him in protective custody.  The Department failed to act and nine days later Bradly committed suicide.  The family attempted to sue the Department for negligence but their claim was dismissed because the actors involved enjoyed "immunity."  The attorneys then sought compensatory damages through the Probate Court, based on the court's statutory authority to compensate persons injured by the violation of a court order.  The Court of Appeals concluded that the family had articulated a valid statutory claim that was not blocked by Michigan's immunity statute.