Case Background
In January 2021, Silvia Bautista drove near the intersection of South New Hampshire Avenue and West 8th Street in Los Angeles. At that location, she became involved in a collision with a vehicle operated by Esther Eunhae Lee.
Cause
The dispute arose from the crash on January 30, 2021. Bautista alleged that Lee, the City, and the Police Department negligently owned, managed, entrusted, and operated the vehicle. She also asserted that Doe defendants contributed to the incident as agents, employees, or unknown responsible parties. According to the complaint, the defendants’ negligent operation, supervision, and entrustment of the vehicle directly caused the collision. Bautista framed the defendants’ actions as careless omissions that created foreseeable risk and legal responsibility.
Injury
Bautista stated that the crash inflicted personal injuries. She described physical harm from the collision and emphasized the seriousness of the incident. She also claimed general suffering linked to the defendants’ negligence. According to her account, the injuries disrupted her daily life and required treatment.
Damages
Bautista sought compensation for wage loss, medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and property damage. She also claimed general damages, including pain and suffering. She requested both compensatory and punitive damages, noting that the full amounts would be proven at trial. She argued that the damages reflected continuing financial, emotional, and physical hardship.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Silvia Bautista
Counsel for Plaintiff: Kelvin Bernard Fowler | Steven R. Vartazarian
Defendant(s): City of Los Angeles | Esther Eunhae Lee | Los Angeles Police Department
Counsel for Defendants: Karen Elizabeth Woodward
Expert Witness for Defendant: Nancy Fraser Michalski | Barry Ludwig
Claims
Bautista filed two main causes of action. First, she alleged motor vehicle negligence, arguing that Lee, the City, the Police Department, and Doe defendants negligently operated, entrusted, and supervised the vehicle. Second, she alleged general negligence, claiming that defendants failed in supervision, training, and entrustment responsibilities. Together, these claims accused the defendants of legal fault for the collision and her resulting damages.
Defense
The City of Los Angeles and Esther Lee denied all allegations in Silvia Bautista’s complaint and raised multiple affirmative defenses. They argued that Bautista’s own negligence, or that of third parties, directly caused or contributed to any damages, and therefore liability should be reduced proportionately. They further asserted that Bautista knew and voluntarily assumed the risks involved.
The defendants also claimed that the action was barred by the statute of limitations and by Bautista’s failure to comply with the California Tort Claims Act. They invoked statutory immunities under the Government Code and Vehicle Code, including exemptions for authorized emergency vehicle drivers. Overall, the defense sought dismissal of the complaint, recovery of litigation costs, and a jury trial determination.
Settlement
On February 27, 2024, plaintiff’s counsel filed a Notice of Settlement of Entire Case, indicating that the matter was resolved, with dismissal to follow by August 27, 2024. Proof of service filed on March 1, 2024, confirmed that copies of the notice were served by mail, overnight delivery, fax, or electronic transmission to counsel for the City of Los Angeles and Esther Lee (Deputy City Attorney Karen Woodward, Scott Marcus, and Anthony Miera) and to plaintiff’s co-counsel Herbert Godel.
Court Documents
Court documents are available for purchase upon request at [email protected]
