Personal Injury

The case of Davis v. Home 2 U 9, LLC, et al., filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, reached a $1,000,000 settlement, concluding the intense litigation over a residential care facility's failure to supervise a dangerous resident. The plaintiffs, Carlos Davis and his minor daughter, H.D. Doe, had sued the operator, HOME 2 U 9, LLC, for negligence and premises liability. The complaint charged that the defendant completely breached its duty when it allowed a registered sex offender, known to pose a significant risk, to leave the facility unsupervised while the overnight caregiver slept. That lack of supervision directly resulted in a devastating incident that caused H.D. Doe to suffer severe and lasting emotional distress, anxiety, and depression. The defendant consistently denied liability, arguing the resident's criminal acts were unforeseeable. However, after extensive legal proceedings and the exchange of strong expert testimony on facility protocol and child psychology, the parties agreed to the seven-figure settlement in August 2025, thus avoiding a highly publicized jury trial.

A New Haven jury delivered a focused but decisive verdict for Plaintiff Eleanor Mikulski in her negligence lawsuit against driver Sunita Kelly and her employer, Columbus Chemists, LLC. The case stemmed from an April 12, 2022 rear-end collision on Ella T. Grasso Boulevard, where Kelly, driving a company vehicle, struck the back of Mikulski’s Honda. Mikulski described significant lower-back injuries, including disc disease and interfacet arthrosis at L5-S1, which caused lasting pain, limited mobility, and financial strain. She alleged that Kelly failed to maintain a proper lookout, drove too fast for conditions, and did not provide any warning before impact. Although the Defendants admitted the crash occurred and acknowledged Kelly’s employment status, they denied negligence and challenged the severity and origin of Mikulski’s injuries. After hearing testimony from the Plaintiff’s medical experts, the jury found both Kelly and her employer liable. On November 7, 2025, the jury awarded Mikulski $4,858 for past medical expenses but declined to grant non-economic damages. The verdict confirmed negligence while limiting compensation to documented economic losses.

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.

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 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.

The civil action Frank Valles vs. Terrence Andra Cross et al. stemmed from a serious 2018 collision in Los Angeles involving an LAPD patrol vehicle. Plaintiff Frank Valles, a passenger in the police car, alleged that Officer Terrence Cross executed an unsafe left turn into oncoming traffic, causing a violent impact and significant injuries. The lawsuit held the City of Los Angeles vicariously liable under California Vehicle Code §17001 and the doctrine of respondeat superior. After extensive litigation, discovery, and negotiations, the City agreed to a $7,250,000 settlement, resolving all claims of negligence, liability, and damages.

This Connecticut Superior Court case centered on a June 26, 2022 collision on East Main Street in Meriden. Kenneth Wallen was driving east when Teresa Loncrini made a left turn across his lane and struck his vehicle. Wallen claimed she failed to maintain control, keep a proper lookout, or yield the right of way. He alleged knee and spinal injuries and sought compensation for medical costs, pain, and work limitations. Loncrini denied negligence and argued Wallen contributed to the collision by failing to react or warn her. After hearing both sides, a Middlesex jury returned a verdict on October 23, 2025, finding Loncrini 100 percent at fault. The jury awarded Wallen $11,502.75 in economic damages and $4,000 in noneconomic damages, for a total of $15,502.75.

A Contra Costa County jury found Steven Rowsey negligent for a 2019 crash on the Bollinger Canyon Overpass that injured Adrian Leyva. After hearing evidence on medical treatment, pain, and the long-term impact of the collision, jurors awarded Leyva $409,200. The verdict reflected both economic losses and significant noneconomic harm tied to the freeway collision.