Brief

The City Attorney brought a matter related to Nick Golbahar v. City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Superior Court Case 21STCV28407) to City Council for approval. Councilmembers Yaroslavsky and Blumenfield moved the item, which the Budget and Finance Committee approved on April 13, 2026. Council adopted the motion unanimously on April 22, 2026 (12-0-3), and the Mayor signed it by May 4, 2026, concluding all council action.

Full summary

The case stems from a sidewalk trip-and-fall incident on January 18, 2021, at 4137 Fulton Avenue in Sherman Oaks. Nick Golbahar sued the City of Los Angeles, and the City Attorney's office recommended settling the lawsuit for $450,000. The settlement was negotiated and reviewed in closed session, as permitted under California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) for pending litigation. The adopted motion authorized the City Attorney's office to expend up to $450,000 in Fiscal Year 2026-27 to resolve the case. To fund the payout, the Controller's Office was directed to transfer $450,000 from the general Miscellaneous Liability Payouts account within the Liability Claims Fund into the Public Works, Street Services Liability Payouts account, reflecting the street-maintenance nature of the underlying claim. The City Attorney was then authorized to draw that amount payable to law firm CZ&R LLP and Nick Golbahar. The motion also gave the City Attorney authority to make any necessary technical adjustments, subject to City Administrative Officer approval. The item moved quickly through the legislative process. The City Attorney submitted the report on March 25, 2026, and it was referred to the Budget and Finance Committee on April 8. The committee, which deliberated in closed session, approved the settlement 4-0 on April 13, with one member absent. The full Council adopted the motion by Councilmembers Yaroslavsky and Blumenfield on April 22, 2026, voting 12-0-3. The Mayor approved the action by the May 4, 2026 deadline, and the file is now closed.

Activity (8)

• 2026-05-04 Council action final.
• 2026-04-24 City Clerk transmitted file to Mayor. Last day for Mayor to act is May 4, 2026.
• 2026-04-22 Council adopted Motion (Yaroslavsky - Blumenfield) in Open Session, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
• 2026-04-17 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on April 22, 2026.
• 2026-04-13 Budget and Finance Committee approved the item in Open Session.
• 2026-04-10 Budget and Finance Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on April 13, 2026.
• 2026-04-08 City Attorney document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee.
• 2026-04-08 Document submitted by City Attorney, dated March 25, 2026.

Documents (4)

• 2026-05-04 Mayor Concurrence/Council Action · other
• 2026-04-22 Motion (Yaroslavsky - Blumenfield) · motion
• 2026-04-22 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2026-03-25 Report from City Attorney · report