FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2010
City of Los Angeles Settles Motorcycle Accident Claim for $7 Million
-- Levitt, Leichenger & Aberle Represents Seriously Injured Motorcyclist --
LOS ANGELES – The plaintiffs’ law firm of Levitt, Leichenger & Aberle announced today that it has obtained a $7 million settlement from the City of Los Angeles. The settlement resolves claims against the City arising out of a motorcycle accident which occurred in September 2007 and left their client paraplegic. Attorney Douglas Aberle represented the injured man and his wife, and obtained the substantial settlement despite the fact that the police report concluded that the plaintiff was speeding and found him to be the party primarily responsible for the accident.
“It’s gratifying to reach this settlement for our client,” said Mr. Aberle. “After denying its liability for more than two years, following extensive discovery leading up to the commencement of trial, the City of Los Angeles ultimately agreed to pay for the accident that horribly changed my clients’ lives forever.” The paralysis left the plaintiff without the ability to perform most of the activities associated with daily living.
At the time of the accident, Mr. Aberle’s client was driving his motorcycle as a volunteer for the City of Los Angeles, helping the City officiate the bicycle portion of the Los Angeles Triathlon. Following instructions provided to him by Triathlon officials, he rode his motorcycle through an intersection that was controlled by a Los Angeles Department of Transportation Traffic Officer. The Traffic Officer motioned for a stopped vehicle to proceed into the intersection directly into the path of the volunteer motorcyclist.
In summarizing his client’s current condition, Mr. Aberle stated, “Medically, the road ahead is long for him, and he will require many hospitalizations. The toll of this tragedy will continue for the rest of my clients’ lives.”
This settlement has garnered widespread media coverage in a variety of publications including:
LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-settlement9-2010mar09,0,6944609.story
CBS 2/KCAL 9:
http://cbs2.com/local/settle.lawsuit.volunteer.2.1546768.html
FOX 35/KCBA:
http://www.kcba.com/Global/story.asp?S=12106698
Channel 13/CW:
http://cbs13.com/wireapnewsca/City.of.LA.2.1546746.html
Sacramento Bee:
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/08/2592893/la-pays-paraplegic-7m-to-settle.html
Central Coast FOX 11:
http://www.myfox11.com/Global/story.asp?S=12106698
Modesto Bee:
http://www.modbee.com/2010/03/08/1079898/la-pays-paraplegic-7m-to-settle.html
Fresno Bee:
http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/03/08/1851855/la-pays-paraplegic-7m-to-settle.html
Mercury News:
http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_14637956?nclick_check=1
Monterey County – The Herald:
http://www.montereyherald.com/state/ci_14637956?nclick_check=1
Contra Costa Times:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_14637956
Orange County Register:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CA_TRIATHLON_ACCIDENT_SETTLEMENT_CAOL-?SITE=CAANR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
SF Examiner:
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/ap/87080592.html
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