Emily Buntyn Settles Injury Lawsuit with Los Angeles
Table of Contents
Case Background
In January 2023, Emily Buntyn filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against the City of Los Angeles. She alleged that the City failed to maintain safe conditions on public property and that this negligence caused her injuries. Buntyn’s complaint centered on her experience in a city-controlled area, where she claimed she tripped and fell because of a dangerous condition that the City either ignored or did not repair in time.
The case, filed under docket number 23STCV00043, was assigned to Judge Serena Murillo at the Spring Street Courthouse. From the start, both sides prepared for a full trial, but after nearly two years of filings, motions, and discovery, the matter ended in a settlement reached in August 2024.
Cause
Buntyn’s complaint argued that the City of Los Angeles had allowed a dangerous condition to exist on public property. She claimed this condition directly led to her fall and subsequent injuries. According to her, the City bore a duty of care to keep public spaces safe for pedestrians and visitors, and it failed to meet that obligation.
She further claimed that the City either knew or should have known about the hazardous condition. Because the alleged problem had existed for some time, she argued, the City had plenty of opportunity to fix it but chose not to act.
Injury
Buntyn stated that the fall caused her physical harm, pain, and ongoing suffering. She alleged that she needed medical treatment and that her injuries interfered with her ability to work and live comfortably. The complaint stressed that these injuries were not minor inconveniences but significant damages that affected her daily life.
Damages Sought
In her filing, Buntyn sought compensation for medical expenses, both past and future, as well as damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress. She also asked the Court to hold the City responsible for any long-term effects tied to her fall. Although the exact amount of damages was not publicly listed in the settlement filing, her complaint requested compensation consistent with cases involving serious personal injuries.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Emily Buntyn
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Loren B. Halpern
Defendant(s): City of Los Angeles
· Counsel for Defendant(s): Hydee Feldstein Soto | Anthony M. Miera | Patty Thammalaiviroj | Scott Marcus
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Plaintiff’s Side
Buntyn’s legal team, led by attorney Loren B. Halpern of Halpern Law Firm, Inc., focused on the City’s alleged negligence. They argued that the City had failed in its duty to inspect, repair, or warn the public about the dangerous condition that caused her fall.
Her case relied heavily on the principle that government entities, just like private property owners, must maintain safe spaces for the public. The complaint stressed that when cities neglect these responsibilities, ordinary people like Buntyn suffer real harm.
Her attorneys further suggested that the injuries she sustained were foreseeable and preventable if the City had taken appropriate safety measures.
Defense’s Side
The City of Los Angeles, represented by Deputy City Attorney Patty Thammalaiviroj and the Office of City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, filed a firm denial of liability. The City argued that Buntyn’s own negligence contributed to her fall. They also claimed that if ot hers besides the City were involved in maintaining the area, then those parties bore some share of responsibility.
In its list of affirmative defenses, the City stated that Buntyn knew about the risk and voluntarily assumed it. They also raised technical defenses, such as the statute of limitations and alleged non-compliance with the California Tort Claims Act.
The City further asserted various forms of governmental immunity, pointing to California statutes that shield municipalities from liability in certain circumstances. In essence, the defense argued that even if the condition existed, the City either was not legally responsible or was protected from liability under state law.
Settlement
On August 28, 2024, the parties reached a full and unconditional settlement. The City of Los Angeles agreed to pay $175,000 to Emily Buntyn to resolve all claims. The agreement ended the case before trial, and a dismissal of the entire action was set to follow within 45 days of the settlement date.
Court documents are available upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com