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Bernardino Escobar Martinez v. City of Los Angeles, et al.

Council File 26-1305

Pending — the city is defending a motorcycle-accident lawsuit and weighing settlement options, but the Budget and Finance Committee hasn't yet scheduled a closed session to discuss it with the City Attorney.

Introduced
2026-09-09
Last changed
2026-09-15
CFMS file status
File open See note on file status
Expires
2028-09-11
Committee
Budget and Finance Committee
Initiated by
City Attorney
References
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 24STCV13376Claim: C24-04873City Attorney Report: R26-0489

This is the City Clerk's status for the council file itself, not the outcome of the measure. A file often stays open after the Council has already adopted an item. The summary above reflects the latest recorded action.

Brief

The City Attorney submitted a legal matter related to a lawsuit filed by Bernardino Escobar Martinez against Los Angeles (Superior Court Case No. 24STCV13376). The Budget and Finance Committee reviewed the item on September 15, 2026, and approved it in open session. The file involves a claim (C24-04873) and City Attorney Report R26-0489. The specific terms of any settlement or judgment are not detailed in the activity record.

Full summary

Council File 26-1305 involves a lawsuit filed by Bernardino Escobar Martinez against the City of Los Angeles arising from a traffic accident on October 27, 2023, at 2425 East Olympic Boulevard in Los Angeles. The incident involved a collision between a City vehicle and a motorcycle. The case is pending in Los Angeles Superior Court (Case No. 24STCV13376) and is also tracked as Claim No. C24-04873. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, through Chief of Civil Litigation Kathleen Kenealy, submitted a report on August 27, 2026, requesting that the City Council hold a closed session under California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) to receive legal advice and discuss settlement options. That provision allows a legislative body to meet privately when litigation is pending. The report was prepared with involvement from the Board of Public Works Commission, suggesting a City vehicle operated under that department's purview may have been involved in the accident. On September 9, 2026, the file was introduced to the Council and referred to the Budget and Finance Committee, where it currently remains pending. No settlement figure or final Council action has been recorded. The file expires September 9, 2028, giving the Council two years to act. Deputy City Attorney Lilya Dishchyan is the contact handling this matter.

Activity (4)

  • 2026-09-15 Budget and Finance Committee approved the item in Open Session.
  • 2026-09-11 Budget and Finance Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 15, 2026.
  • 2026-09-10 City Attorney document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee.
  • 2026-09-09 Document submitted by City Attorney, dated August 27, 2026.

Documents (1)

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