Areas of Law

On December 15, 2022, Plaintiff Porfiria Delgado tripped on a cut metal pole left protruding from the sidewalk on E. San Ysidro Boulevard in San Diego. She alleged the City, County, MTS, and State negligently created and failed to remedy the hazard, causing her fall and injuries. Defendants denied liability, raising statutory immunities and comparative fault. The case resolved in a $199,000 settlement, compensating Delgado for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

On March 14, 2021, Plaintiff Jeffrey S. Dolphin crashed his Harley-Davidson while riding on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in San Diego. He alleged the City and County negligently maintained the roadway, which was riddled with potholes, cracks, and unsafe patches. The fall caused a traumatic brain injury, nasal fracture, and long-term cognitive deficits. Defendants denied liability, citing government immunities, comparative fault, and claim-filing defenses. Before trial, the parties reached a $500,000 settlement, resolving all claims.

In the case of Alejandro Alonso v. City of Los Angeles et al., Plaintiff Alejandro Alonso sued the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, the State of California, and Cesar Corona for negligence after a sanitation tractor struck him while he was riding his bicycle on November 5, 2021. Alonso suffered severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures. He sought damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The settlement concluded the litigation, and the plaintiff was required to file a dismissal.

Plaintiff Francisco Hernandez Tello sued the City of Los Angeles after tripping on a protruding pole base on a public sidewalk. He claimed the City failed to maintain, inspect, or warn about the hazard. The City denied liability, raising defenses of negligence, assumption of risk, and statutory immunities. The case was set for trial in February 2025, but the parties reached a conditional $150,000 settlement in December 2024, with dismissal due by March 30, 2025.

On October 28, 2019, a tree collapsed on Alba Rivera’s car at 19146 Stare Street, Northridge, California. Rivera claimed the property’s owners and managers—Stephen and Susan Ruda, the Estate of Zepur Karamanoukian, and the City of Los Angeles failed to maintain the premises safely. She alleged negligent oversight and hazardous conditions caused the collapse, leading to serious injuries, vehicle damage, and financial losses. Defendants denied liability, citing negligence by others, assumed risk, and statutory immunities. Before the January 2025 trial, the parties reached a conditional settlement filed on November 20, 2024. They must complete settlement terms and file for dismissal by March 31, 2025, resolving all claims without trial.

Plaintiff Anoush Grboyan sued Defendant Paul Jerrard Bingaman and the City of Los Angeles over a rear-end collision on Topanga Canyon Boulevard. She claimed negligence and statutory violations under California Vehicle Code section 22350. Defendants denied liability and raised multiple affirmative defenses. On July 30, 2024, the parties reached an unconditional settlement of $175,000, resolving all claims and vacating the trial date.

On September 29, 2023, Frank Mufarreh tripped on an uneven sidewalk at 1959 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco. The pavement, lifted near a street tree, had been flagged in a 311 report over two months earlier. Mufarreh sued the City and County of San Francisco and property owner Timoleon Zaracotas, alleging negligence, premises liability, and dangerous condition of public property. He claimed the defect was known but unrepaired, causing his fractured hand and lasting impairment. Defendants denied liability, citing immunities, comparative fault, and lack of notice. The case settled for $75,000, pending Board of Supervisors approval, ahead of a November 2025 trial.

In a reverse mortgage servicing dispute, Sun West Mortgage Co. sued First National Bank of Pennsylvania, successor to First Mariner, over a 2017 Settlement Agreement requiring loan repurchases. After Fannie Mae flagged defects in two loans, Sun West covered payoffs when the Bank failed to act. Following a bench trial, the Court ruled for Sun West on the Hastings Loan, awarding $511,918.55 plus interest, but found for the Bank on Barner Loan claims, with attorneys’ fees to be decided later.

On November 2, 2022, minor Plaintiff Rieyahne Blaylock tripped on a broken sidewalk at Ellis and Steiner Streets in San Francisco. She alleged the City negligently allowed a dangerous condition to exist and failed to repair or warn. The City denied liability and raised multiple defenses, including immunity and lack of notice. On January 13, 2025, Plaintiff filed notice of a conditional $100,000 settlement, resolving all claims before the scheduled February 2025 jury trial.

On September 22, 2023, Mary Feller tripped on a raised sidewalk near 3400 Lawton Street in San Francisco, suffering serious injuries. Her husband, Gordon Feller, claimed emotional distress and loss of consortium. The couple alleged that property owner Tilo Dickopp and the City and County of San Francisco knew of the hazard but failed to repair or warn, despite prior notices. The defendants denied liability, citing statutory immunities, comparative negligence, and trivial defect defenses. To avoid trial, the parties reached a $250,000 settlement, resolving all claims with prejudice.

On February 14, 2023, Sara Black tripped on a 2.5-inch sidewalk defect on Main Street in Los Angeles, suffering multiple facial fractures that required surgery. She alleged the City knew of the hazard but failed to repair it, creating a dangerous condition of public property. The City denied liability, citing contributory negligence, statutory immunities, and other defenses. To avoid trial, both parties agreed to a $300,000 settlement, compensating Black for medical costs, pain, and related damages without the City admitting fault.

On September 6, 2020, the Bobcat Fire ignited in Angeles National Forest after a tree contacted Southern California Edison’s power lines, with Utility Tree Service responsible for vegetation management. The blaze burned 114,577 acres, destroyed 171 structures, damaged 47, and caused extensive environmental harm, including loss of habitat and cultural sites. The United States sued SCE and UTS for negligence, dangerous condition, trespass by fire, and breach of permit, seeking over $121 million for suppression, restoration, and damages. The defendants denied liability, citing Acts of God, compliance with standards, and third-party causes. On December 1, 2024, after mediation, the parties reached a proposed $82.5 million settlement, pending Department of Justice approval, resolving all federal claims from the Bobcat Fire.