Case Background
On May 13, 2020, a complaint for damages was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles . The case received assignment to Judge Daniel Crowley for all purposes at the Spring Street Courthouse . Santiago Aguilar initiated the legal action as the plaintiff . Avrek Law Firm, with attorneys Anthony J Perez and Ryan Blake, represents him . The defendants named include the City of Los Angeles, Ivette Huntsinger, and a group of unnamed individuals identified as Does 1 through 100 .
Cause
On June 14, 2019, in Los Angeles County, the defendants allegedly acted negligently. They owned, leased, operated, entrusted, maintained, and repaired a motor vehicle, which struck and injured Aguilar. The plaintiff reserved the right to amend the complaint if additional facts emerged during discovery.
Injury
As a direct result of the defendants' alleged negligence, Santiago Aguilar asserted that he sustained injuries . These injuries led to general, special, and property damages . The complaint emphasized the tangible and intangible losses suffered because of the incident .
Damages
Aguilar sought judgment against the defendants for general, special, and property damages to be proven at trial. He also requested recovery of lawsuit costs, interest on the complaint, and any further relief the Court deemed equitable.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Santiago Aguilar
Counsel for Plaintiff: Anthony J. Perez | Ryan Blake
Defendants: City of Los Angeles | Ivette Huntsinger
Counsel for Defendants: Ronald S. Whitaker
Claims Against the Defendants
Aguilar filed claims against all public entities, which were denied. He alleged that each defendant acted as an agent of the others and within the scope of their agency, employment, or as independent contractors, as defined under California Government Code Sections 815.2, 815.4, and 820. He sued the unknown defendants (Does 1–100) under fictitious names, intending to amend the complaint once their true identities became known under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 474.
Defense
In her answer to Santiago Aguilar’s complaint, defendant Ivette Huntsinger denied all allegations and asserted multiple affirmative defenses. She argued that any damages Aguilar claimed were caused, in whole or in part, by his own negligence, warranting a reduction in any recovery. She further contended that other parties’ negligence contributed to the incident and that Aguilar voluntarily assumed the risks involved, having actual knowledge of the alleged dangerous condition.
Huntsinger also claimed immunity from liability under California Government Code sections 815.2, 820.2, and 820.8, as well as Civil Code section 3333.4. She requested that the court dismiss the action, award her costs of suit, and grant any other relief deemed just and proper. Additionally, she demanded a jury trial on all issues.
Settlement
On July 18, 2024, attorney Quincy E. Booth of Avrek Law Firm filed a Notice of Settlement of Entire Case in Santiago Aguilar v. City of Los Angeles, et al. in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (Case No. 20STCV18191). The filing indicated a conditional settlement, with dismissal to be filed by September 2, 2024, upon completion of specified terms.
The case, filed May 13, 2020, was set for a final status conference on July 23, 2024, and trial on August 6, 2024, in Department 28 before Judge Daniel M. Crowley. Proof of service showed the notice was mailed on July 19, 2024, from Newport Beach, CA, to defense counsel Vanessa Ticas at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.
Court Documents
Court documents are available for purchase upon request at [email protected]