Brief

The City Attorney brought a settlement agreement in the litigation Carolina Mora v. City of Los Angeles (Superior Court Case 23VECV03259) to Council in April 2026. The Budget and Finance Committee approved the settlement on April 13, and Council voted unanimously 12-0 on April 22 to adopt the settlement motion, introduced by Councilmembers Yaroslavsky and Blumenfield. The Mayor received the file and the Council action became final on May 4, 2026.

Full summary

This file documents the City Council's approval of a $950,000 settlement in the lawsuit Carolina Mora v. City of Los Angeles, et al., filed in Los Angeles Superior Court (Case No. 23VECV03259). The case stems from a trip and fall incident on September 20, 2022, in which Carolina Mora fell over an uplifted sidewalk at 9800 Woodman Avenue in Los Angeles. The City Attorney's office, under City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, recommended settlement of the claim rather than continued litigation. The settlement authorizes the City Attorney's office to pay $950,000 in Fiscal Year 2026-27 to Ardalan & Associates, PC and Carolina Mora. To fund the payout, the Controller's office was directed to transfer $950,000 from the Liability Claims Fund's Miscellaneous Liability Payouts account into the Public Works, Street Services Liability Payouts account, reflecting the sidewalk maintenance nature of the underlying claim. The City Attorney was also authorized to make technical adjustments as needed with approval of the City Administrative Officer. The City Attorney submitted the report in late March 2026, and the file was referred to the Budget and Finance Committee on April 8. The committee reviewed the settlement in closed session on April 13 and approved it unanimously 4-0, with Councilmember Hernandez absent. Councilmembers Yaroslavsky and Blumenfield carried the motion to full Council on April 22, where it passed 12-0 with three members absent or not voting. The Mayor received the file on April 24 and Council action became final on May 4, 2026. 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
• 2026-04-13 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2026-03-25 Report from City Attorney · report