Negligence

A civil lawsuit stemming from a 2021 traffic collision involving a Los Angeles Police Department employee concluded with a $460,000 settlement. Plaintiff Rosa Becerra sued the City of Los Angeles, the LAPD, and employee Yesenia Emestica, alleging negligence caused the crash that left her seriously injured and unable to work. Filed in March 2023, the case focused on the City’s liability under respondeat superior. After months of negotiation, the City Council approved the payout, finalizing the settlement in July 2024 and closing the case before trial.

Ashley Sanchez, a passenger in a car driven by Rogelio Aleman, sued Julie and Laura Spinelli, claiming that their reckless lane change caused a violent crash at the entrance to Andrea’s Plaza on Route 69. She also named Aleman and vehicle owner Julio Estrada-Sanchez as additional defendants. Sanchez argued that Julie Spinelli moved into an open lane to pass stopped traffic without checking for oncoming vehicles, while Aleman attempted a left turn across her path. The impact injured Sanchez, leading to neck, shoulder, and back sprains and months of medical care. At trial, Sanchez’s legal team presented medical records showing chiropractic, orthopedic, and imaging expenses totaling over $16,000. The defense countered that Aleman caused the crash by failing to yield and that Spinelli’s maneuver was lawful given traffic conditions. After deliberations, the jury found both drivers negligent—assigning 55% fault to Julie and Laura Spinelli and 45% fault to Aleman. They awarded $31,180.84 in total damages, including $16,180.84 in medical expenses and $15,000 for pain and suffering. After reducing the award based on Aleman’s share of fault, the court entered a final judgment of $17,149.46 in favor of Sanchez. The verdict marked a partial win for the plaintiff, recognizing the shared responsibility of both drivers while compensating Sanchez for her injuries and medical costs. The case highlighted the importance of safe lane changes and yielding during heavy morning traffic on Connecticut’s busy commuter routes.

The case of Sheila Esfahani Goe, et al. v. Zirius, Inc., et al., filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, concluded with a confidential settlement where the defendants, including Mountain View Mortuary, agreed to pay the plaintiffs a total of $950,000. The family had sued after discovering the alleged mishandling of a deceased relative's remains, claiming severe emotional distress, negligence, and a breach of the professional trust implicit in mortuary services. The complaint detailed that the defendants had failed to properly prepare and manage the body, causing the family immense mental anguish. By settling, both parties avoided a full trial on the claims of negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress, bringing the emotionally charged lawsuit to an official conclusion.

A Los Angeles jury returned a $3.06 million verdict against the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and one of its officers, Daniel Castaneda, following the 2022 fatal shooting of Leonel Chavez. The civil case, filed by Mr. Chavez's family for wrongful death and survival actions, centered on the negligent use of deadly force and institutional failures in training and supervision by the CHP. The jury determined that both the officer's action and the CHP's negligence were substantial factors in Mr. Chavez's death. While total damages were assessed at $6,000,000, the final award was reduced to $3,060,000 due to the jury's finding of 49% comparative negligence on the part of Leonel Chavez himself. The verdict is a significant finding of liability against the officer (51% fault) and the state agency he represented.

In a personal injury trial concluding in September 2025 in the Circuit Court of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in Broward County, Florida, the jury returned a verdict firmly in favor of the defendants, Grandscape Professional Landscaping Service, Inc., and its employee, Armando Ortiz. The plaintiff, Gustavo Castellanos Caicedo, had sought damages exceeding $30,000.00 for severe injuries resulting from a 2021 collision involving his bicycle and a vehicle associated with the landscaping crew's work. The central question posed to the jury was whether Armando Ortiz's actions constituted negligence that legally caused the plaintiff's injuries. The jury explicitly answered "NO," concluding that Mr. Ortiz was not negligent. As a result, the jury's deliberations ended immediately, and no damages were calculated or awarded, confirming a complete defense victory against all claims, including the wife's derivative claim for loss of consortium.

The lawsuit of Gary Gellner v. Eric W. Gill and the Town of Glastonbury centered on a snowplow collision that occurred on Bayberry Road in Glastonbury, Connecticut, on February 1, 2021. Plaintiff Gary Gellner alleged that Town employee Eric Gill, operating a heavy 2013 International snowplow, unsafely backed the vehicle down a snowy hill after failing to drive up it, striking Gellner while he was operating a snow blower in his driveway. Gellner sought damages for injuries to his neck, shoulders, arms, chest, and back, arguing the driver was negligent and careless. The defendants, represented by Michael R. Oleyer, Esq., denied all claims of negligence and raised the crucial Special Defense of Governmental Immunity, asserting protection from liability under Connecticut law for actions related to governmental operations. After the proceedings, which concluded on October 10, 2025, the jury returned a verdict entirely in favor of the defendants, rejecting all claims of negligence and resulting in no award of damages for the plaintiff.

The case, David Beri, et al. v. City of Los Angeles, et al. (Case No. 22STCV03744), involved a negligence claim filed in January 2022. Plaintiffs David and Eva Beri alleged that City employee Rochelle C. Feldman's careless driving while on the job caused a motor vehicle accident, resulting in significant physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial losses, including medical expenses and lost wages. The Beris sued the City under the theory of vicarious liability. The parties reached a final, out-of-court settlement agreement in December 2023 for $562,500, which resolved all claims. The City and the employee made the payment without admitting fault or liability.

Plaintiff Sylvia Rubio initiated a personal injury and property damage lawsuit against the County of Los Angeles and its Sheriff’s Department following a motor vehicle collision. The suit alleged negligence, careless conduct, and negligent entrustment related to the crash. Although the County vigorously denied responsibility in its formal answer, the case avoided a trial. The parties reached a final, unconditional settlement on June 5, 2024, resolving all claims for $425,000.

The case of Anthony Nonn v. The City of Los Angeles, et al. (Case No. 23STCV01231) involved a personal injury claim against multiple governmental entities, including the City of Los Angeles and the State of California's Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Plaintiff Anthony Nonn filed the lawsuit in January 2023, asserting that dangerous and known conditions on a public roadway, which the defendants failed to correct or warn against, directly caused a traffic incident that left him with severe, life-altering injuries and substantial loss of income. The defendants strongly denied all claims of negligence and liability, arguing they lacked sufficient legal notice of the condition and that the plaintiff may have contributed to the accident. Both parties prepared for a jury trial, securing experts in accident reconstruction and medicine. However, the parties ultimately bypassed the courtroom, reaching a settlement in March 2025. The defendants agreed to pay Mr. Nonn a final negotiated amount of $3,000,000 to resolve all claims for past and future medical care, lost earnings, and general damages.

Rogelio Hernandez filed suit against the City of Los Angeles and LAPD Detective Natalie Plascencia after an LAPD vehicle struck him in a designated crosswalk while he was in his wheelchair. The collision caused multiple severe bone fractures, including olecranon, acetabular, and tibia fractures, necessitating several days of hospitalization and leading to permanent disability claims. The lawsuit alleged General Negligence, arguing the detective failed to operate her vehicle safely within the scope of her employment. After facing strong evidence, likely including video footage of the incident, the City opted to resolve the matter before trial, paying the plaintiff a $15.25 million settlement to cover extensive past and future medical costs, pain, suffering, and loss of earning capacity.

A Los Angeles County jury found the County 40% liable in the wrongful death of Karen Land, awarding her family $1.2 million in damages. The verdict, delivered on July 31, 2025, followed claims of negligence and elder abuse brought by the Land family, represented by Alexis and Maximiliano Galindo. The jury apportioned fault as 40% County, 30% Antwon and Karen Land, and 30% other drivers, recognizing shared responsibility for the tragedy.

LL John Doe MB sued the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) for childhood sexual assault by an employee and negligent supervision. The Plaintiff alleged severe, lasting emotional and physical injuries. The School District denied all allegations, citing governmental immunity. The matter was resolved before trial, with the Defendant agreeing to a settlement of $675,000.