Case Background
Sara Black walked southbound along a public sidewalk on Main Street in Los Angeles on February 14, 2023. The sidewalk was owned, maintained, and controlled by the City of Los Angeles. While approaching San Juan Avenue, she encountered a large uneven section of the walkway. The defect created a vertical height difference exceeding 2.5 inches.
Cause
Black tripped over this sidewalk defect and fell. She alleged the City of Los Angeles knew about the condition but failed to repair it. According to her complaint, the City permitted the hazard to remain, creating a dangerous condition of public property. The failure to maintain or reconstruct the sidewalk, despite knowledge of the risk, became the central cause of her legal dispute with the City.
Injury
The fall caused multiple facial fractures. Black required surgical reduction and fixation to treat her injuries. She experienced significant pain and impairment from the incident. Her injuries disrupted her daily life and required medical attention, highlighting the seriousness of the sidewalk defect.
Damages
Black sought compensation for medical expenses related to surgery and recovery. She also claimed damages for lost wages, pain and suffering, and diminished earning capacity. Her complaint emphasized that the injuries created financial strain and emotional distress, further aggravated by the City’s inaction.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Sara Black
Counsel for Plaintiff: Marcus Aram Petoyan
Defendant(s): City of Los Angeles | Jessica Webster
Counsel for Defendants: Hydee Feldstein Soto | Dikran H. Sassounian | Abaigeal Van Deerlin | Scott Marcus
Claims
Black filed suit against the City of Los Angeles for premises liability. Her claims included three counts. First, she alleged negligence in owning, managing, and maintaining the sidewalk. Second, she alleged willful failure to warn of the dangerous condition. Third, she claimed the City allowed a dangerous condition of public property to persist, despite actual or constructive notice, directly causing her injuries.
Defense
The City of Los Angeles filed a general denial against Sara Black’s complaint, disputing all allegations. It argued that any injuries were caused, in whole or part, by Black’s own negligence. The City also claimed other unknown individuals contributed to the incident and that Black knowingly assumed the risks associated with the sidewalk condition. Additionally, it raised the statute of limitations and non-compliance with the California Tort Claims Act as bars to recovery.
The City asserted further defenses, including failure to mitigate damages and multiple statutory immunities under the California Government Code and the Streets & Highways Code. It emphasized that, even if liability existed, damages should be reduced proportionally based on contributory negligence. Finally, the City demanded a jury trial and requested judgment in its favor, including dismissal of the action, recovery of costs, and any other relief the Court found just and proper.
Settlement
The lawsuit between Sara Black and the City of Los Angeles concluded with a settlement of $300,000. The resolution came after Black alleged she sustained serious facial injuries from tripping on a hazardous sidewalk defect. The City denied liability and raised multiple defenses, including contributory negligence and statutory immunities. However, both parties ultimately agreed to settle the dispute, avoiding further litigation and a potential jury trial. The settlement provided compensation for Black’s medical expenses, pain, and other claimed damages, while allowing the City to resolve the matter without admission of fault.
Court Documents
Court documents are available for purchase upon request at [email protected]
