Maria Fernandez vs. City of Norwalk

Case Background On December 11, 2023, Plaintiff Maria Fernandez filed a Negligence lawsuit in the California State, Superior Court of Los Angeles County (Case number: 23NWCV03997). Judge Julian C. Recana, Roger Ito, Olivia Rosales, and Lee W. Tsao presided over the case. Cause On April 26, 2022, at approximately 12:45 PM, Maria Fernandez was a passenger on a Route 3 Norwalk Transit System bus traveling near Telegraph Road and Pioneer Boulevard in Santa Fe Springs, Los Angeles County, California. The incident occurred when the bus driver, an employee of the City of Norwalk, allegedly operated the approximately 40-foot, 25,000-pound public transit bus in a negligent, careless, and reckless manner. According to the California Commercial Driving Handbook requirements cited in the complaint, bus drivers must consider passenger safety during loading and unloading, wait for passengers to be seated or braced before moving, and ensure smooth starts and stops to prevent passenger injuries. The driver allegedly failed to meet these safety standards, resulting in Ms. Fernandez's fall and subsequent injuries. Injuries Ms. Fernandez suffered injuries to her neck, back, and head as a direct result of the fall on the city bus. The incident required her to seek medical treatment at various facilities, including