Vol. 55 No. 4

Trial Magazine

Verdicts & Settlements: Government Liability

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Dangerous Condition on Roadway

April 2019

Robert Watts, 58, was riding his bicycle northbound on the Pacific Coast Highway when he encountered fallen debris. Watts veered onto the main roadway to avoid the debris and was struck by the side mirror of a truck. He lost his balance and fell onto the roadway, suffering a traumatic brain injury that has caused him to suffer sleep difficulties and loss of memory, taste, and concentration. Additionally, he suffered injuries to his right shoulder and lower back.

Watts, who had been a partner at a company earning $225,000 annually, incurred medical expenses of $199,000.

Watts sued the city of Los Angeles and the state of California, alleging failure to protect him from a known dangerous condition on the roadway. The plaintiff argued that the defendants failed to maintain and clean the roadway and allowed it to fall into a state of disrepair.

The jury awarded $9.2 million.

Citation: Watts v. City of Los Angeles, No. BC583821 (Cal. Super. Ct. Los Angeles Cnty. Sept. 20, 2018).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Boris Treyzon, Los Angeles; and AAJ member Yolanda Medina and Federico C. Sayre, both of Santa Ana, Calif.