Negligence

This case arose after a dangerous 60-foot manual sliding gate collapsed on tenant Christopher Huynh behind his business in Stanton, California. The heavy gate pinned him to the ground, causing paralysis, spinal damage, and long-term disability. His wife, Christine Vu, later became his full-time caregiver. The couple alleged the property owners and managers ignored warnings about the unsafe gate, failed to maintain the premises, and instructed Huynh to close it each night. As trial approached, the parties reached a $10.8 million settlement reflecting the permanent injuries, profound loss of mobility, and the life-changing impact on the couple’s future.

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.

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.

On March 8, 2019, Jorg Bober was rear-ended by a Dodge Ram 3500 driven by Scott D. Johnson of Pipeline Constructors while traveling on Interstate 295 in Jacksonville, Florida. Bober filed suit, alleging active negligence by Johnson and negligent hiring and supervision by Pipeline Constructors. The jury found Pipeline and Johnson liable, awarding Bober $43,000 for medical expenses, $40,000 for past pain and suffering, and $60,000 for future distress, totaling $143,000. The verdict recognized Bober’s injuries as significant and permanent, directly resulting from the crash.

In Jane Doe v. Advanced Facility Inc., et al., a Pinellas County jury ruled that a Clearwater care facility, its manager, and an employee were responsible for severe abuse inflicted upon a vulnerable adult resident. Thill filed suit under a pseudonym in 2021, alleging that between 2018 and 2019, employee Falo Kane sexually assaulted and exploited her while she lived at Advanced Care Center. The complaint further asserted that the facility owner, Advanced Facility, Inc., and manager Donald De Baker failed to provide proper supervision, safety measures, and oversight, enabling the abuse to occur. After reviewing evidence of intentional misconduct and systemic negligence, the jury found Kane liable for sexual assault and exploitation of a vulnerable adult. They also determined that the corporate entity and its manager were negligent, violated Thill’s statutory residents’ rights, and legally caused her injuries. On February 17, 2025, the jury awarded Thill $250,000 in damages—$125,000 for sexual assault and $125,000 for exploitation—holding all three Defendants responsible for her trauma and long-term harm.

The County of Riverside and Riverside University Health System-Medical Center agreed to pay $2,250,000 to settle a medical malpractice lawsuit filed by Lovell Avery. The case, filed in July 2023, alleged that negligent medical treatment and breaches in professional care standards caused Avery’s lasting physical and emotional injuries. The complaint named the County and several physicians as defendants. Both sides engaged in discovery before reaching an out-of-court settlement that avoided a jury trial. The agreement brought closure to a complex dispute over the standard of care in a county-run hospital.

The City of San Diego reached a $4,000,000 settlement to resolve a personal injury lawsuit filed by resident Michael Fox. Filed in March 2023 in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, the case alleged that the city’s negligence in maintaining public property caused severe and lasting injuries. Fox’s complaint centered on a dangerous condition of public property, claiming that the city knew or should have known about the hazard but failed to take action. His attorneys argued that this inaction violated California’s Government Code duties for public safety. The city denied all allegations and asserted governmental immunity, maintaining that no such dangerous condition existed and that other factors may have caused the injury. Before the case reached trial, both sides agreed to settle. The $4 million settlement closed the dispute, marking another high-value resolution involving municipal liability in California.

A major negligence lawsuit involving the Los Alamitos Unified School District concluded with a $15,045,000 settlement before reaching trial. The case, Allison Balos vs. Los Alamitos Unified School District and Bharathiraja Natarajan, was filed in June 2022 in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, on behalf of a minor represented by her Guardian ad Litem. The lawsuit alleged that the School District and a staff member failed to exercise reasonable care, resulting in serious physical and psychological harm to the young Plaintiff, including PTSD and lasting emotional trauma. The defense denied all claims, asserting that the incident was beyond their control. Before a jury could render a verdict, both sides reached a comprehensive agreement. On March 19, 2025, a formal Notice of Settlement was filed, closing the case and marking one of the largest school-related negligence settlements in recent Orange County history.

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.