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Mark Gonzalez v. City of Los Angeles, et. al.

Council File 26-0993

Under review — the City Attorney is seeking a closed-session meeting to discuss settling a trip-and-fall lawsuit filed by a resident injured on a Highland Park sidewalk in 2022. The Budget and Finance Committee is weighing the request.

Introduced
2026-07-10
Last changed
2026-07-10
Status
open
Expires
2028-07-10
Committee
Budget and Finance Committee
Initiated by
City Attorney
References
City Attorney Report: R26-0363Los Angeles Superior Court Case: 23STCV00379Claim: C23-01989

Brief

The City Attorney submitted a report dated June 25, 2026, regarding the Mark Gonzalez lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles and other defendants (Los Angeles Superior Court Case 23STCV00379, related to Claim C23-01989). The document was referred to the Budget and Finance Committee on July 10, 2026, and remains pending. The file expires July 10, 2028.

Full summary

This Council file concerns a personal injury lawsuit filed by Mark Gonzalez against the City of Los Angeles stemming from a trip and fall incident on July 11, 2022. The incident occurred on a residential sidewalk near Avenue 60 and Echo Street in the Highland Park neighborhood. The case is pending in Los Angeles Superior Court as Case No. 23STCV00379 and is associated with Claim No. C23-01989. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, through Assistant Chief of Civil Litigation Dikran H. Sassounian, submitted a report on June 25, 2026, requesting that the City Council convene a closed session to discuss the matter with legal counsel. The request is made under California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), which permits public agencies to meet privately when litigation is pending. The specific purpose is for the Council to receive legal advice and consider a recommendation for Claims Board action — language that typically signals the City Attorney is seeking authority to negotiate or approve a settlement. The Board of Public Works Commission was copied on the report, along with several risk management officials, indicating that the City's liability for the sidewalk condition is the central issue — sidewalk maintenance and related trip-and-fall claims generally fall within Public Works' purview. The City Attorney's report was referred to the Budget and Finance Committee on July 10, 2026, where it remains pending. No council action has been taken yet. The file is open and expires July 10, 2028.

Activity (2)

  • 2026-07-10 City Attorney document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee.
  • 2026-07-10 Document submitted by City Attorney, dated June 25, 2026.

Documents (1)

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