Jurimatic: Verdicts and Settlements

A San Francisco woman reached a $128,000 settlement after tripping over exposed metal anchor bolts on a city sidewalk. Plaintiff Jane Gazzola alleged that the City and County of San Francisco and Wilad Properties, LLC failed to maintain the walkway in a safe condition, causing her serious injuries. The Defendants denied liability, arguing the sidewalk was not dangerous and that Gazzola contributed to her fall. The case, filed in 2023, ended in April 2025 when all parties notified the Court of a full settlement, avoiding the uncertainties of a jury trial.

Katrina Baptiste resolved her employment lawsuit against The City and County of San Francisco through a $125,000 settlement reached in June 2025. Baptiste had alleged severe workplace misconduct, including sexual and racial harassment, racial discrimination, and retaliation for reporting the misconduct. She claimed the hostile conditions caused emotional distress, financial loss, and professional harm. The City denied all allegations, asserting it responded properly and violated no laws. The settlement brought an end to nearly two years of litigation and allowed both sides to avoid the risks and burdens of a public trial

A years-long wage and hour class action, Geierman v. Grocery Delivery E-Services USA, Inc. (20CV361771), concluded in Santa Clara County with a $945,391 settlement benefiting thousands of current and former workers. The lawsuit alleged that the delivery company and its HR partner failed to provide lawful meal and rest breaks, misrecorded work hours, and issued non-compliant wage statements. Jennifer Geierman, representing the class, argued that systemic timekeeping and scheduling practices denied employees wages and penalties owed under California labor laws. The Defendants denied wrongdoing, asserting that employees controlled their breaks and that policies complied with state requirements. After extensive discovery and mediation, the parties reached a global settlement that compensates workers and mandates key operational changes, including updated timekeeping systems and clearer break policies. The resolution closes a major employment dispute in California’s gig-economy labor landscape.

Alyonik Hrushow’s personal injury lawsuit against the City and County of San Francisco ended in a $225,000 settlement in May 2025, months before the case was set for trial. Hrushow claimed she suffered severe injuries after encountering a dangerous condition on public property that the City allegedly failed to repair or properly warn about. Her complaint asserted negligence under California’s public-property laws, arguing that the City created or ignored a hazardous defect that posed a foreseeable risk. The City denied all allegations, insisting that Hrushow caused or contributed to her own injuries and asserting multiple Government Code immunities. As discovery progressed, both sides agreed to resolve the matter, allowing Hrushow to receive immediate compensation for medical expenses, pain, and suffering while the City avoided the risks and costs of a jury trial.

A three-year wrongful death lawsuit against the City of San Buenaventura ended in July 2025 with a $19 million settlement for the family of Peter F. White. The case centered on allegations that a dangerous condition on public land caused Mr. White’s fatal injuries. His widow and children claimed the City and its contractor, West Coast Arborists, ignored a known hazard and failed to keep the property safe. Both defendants denied responsibility and raised numerous defenses, including statutory immunities. As trial neared, the parties reached a confidential resolution that provided immediate compensation to the White family while avoiding the risks of a public jury verdict.

A $3.5 million settlement closed the negligence lawsuit between passenger Izumi Streller and the City of Santa Monica after a fall aboard a Big Blue Bus left her injured. The incident occurred when the bus driver, Rochelle McCovery, allegedly accelerated before Streller could secure herself, causing her to fall and strike her head. Streller’s attorneys argued that the city, as a public carrier, failed to meet its duty of providing the highest level of passenger safety. The City denied wrongdoing, claiming it maintained proper standards and that Streller contributed to her own fall. After two years of litigation, both parties reached an unconditional settlement on August 6, 2025, avoiding trial and providing financial compensation for Streller’s injuries and suffering.

An 11-year-old girl, Lyric Jointer, reached a $200,000 settlement with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor after suffering a severe second-degree burn while unsupervised at the Harbor City Club. The lawsuit accused the organization of negligence for failing to provide proper supervision, which led to Lyric spilling scalding soup on herself. Filed by her mother and guardian, the case sought compensation for medical care, permanent scarring, and emotional distress. The confidential agreement, finalized on April 25, 2025, resolved all claims and avoided a jury trial.

The two-year medical malpractice suit, Sandstrom v. Pope, M.D., et al., concluded with a confidential settlement of $200,000 just before the scheduled jury trial. Plaintiff Ingrid Sandstrom alleged that two physicians and the University of California Regents were negligent in their post-operative care, missing a critical complication that led to permanent nerve damage and chronic pain. The defense denied fault, arguing the complication was a known surgical risk, but ultimately agreed to the settlement to resolve the extensive claims.

A federal civil rights lawsuit over the in-custody death of 35-year-old Cynthia Rizalla ended in a $900,000 settlement with Ventura County and several Sheriff’s deputies. Rizalla’s family alleged that she suffered fatal opiate withdrawal due to deliberate indifference and negligent medical care at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. The County and its deputies agreed to resolve all claims before trial, while the case against medical provider Wellpath, LLC, and a nurse remains pending following bankruptcy proceedings.

A California couple reached a $1.75 million settlement with UCI Medical Center after a chemotherapy infusion caused severe arm injuries. The case ended before trial following two years of litigation.

In a landmark employment retaliation case, Dr. Kristen Wheldon, a respected clinical psychologist, reached a $5.75 million settlement with the City of Los Angeles after alleging whistleblower retaliation and workplace discrimination. Dr. Wheldon claimed city officials punished her for reporting serious ethical and procedural violations, leading to her demotion, isolation, and emotional distress. Her lawsuit cited violations under California’s Labor Code Section 1102.5 and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The City denied wrongdoing but agreed to the multimillion-dollar settlement before trial, marking a major victory for employee whistleblower protections in the public sector.

A $1 million settlement ended a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Sade and Lorenzo Mitchell against UCI Medical Center after the death of their newborn son, Malachi. The parents alleged medical negligence during labor, claiming the hospital delayed critical interventions despite signs of distress. Malachi was delivered by emergency cesarean but died weeks later. The Regents of the University of California denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle, closing the emotional case without a trial.