LA Council Watch

← All files

Ervand Azatyan v. CALTRANS, et al.

Council File 26-1306

Under review — the City is weighing settlement options for a bicycle accident lawsuit from 2022 through closed-session legal discussions, but the Budget and Finance Committee hasn't yet scheduled a hearing or made a recommendation.

Introduced
2026-09-09
Last changed
2026-09-11
Status
open
Expires
2028-09-11
Committee
Budget and Finance Committee
Initiated by
City Attorney
References
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23CHCV00855Claim: C23-23925City Attorney Report: R26-0490

Brief

The City Attorney has submitted a report on litigation claim C23-23925, arising from Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23CHCV00855 (Ervand Azatyan v. Caltrans, et al.). The claim involves Azatyan against Caltrans and potentially the City or other defendants. The Budget and Finance Committee scheduled the matter for discussion on September 15, 2026, to evaluate the City's litigation posture, settlement authority, or budget impact.

Full summary

This Council file concerns a personal injury lawsuit stemming from a bicycle accident that occurred on July 10, 2022, near the intersection of Louise Avenue and Sesnon Boulevard in Granada Hills. Plaintiff Ervand Azatyan filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Caltrans and other defendants. The City is involved through Claim No. C23-23925, and the matter has been referred to the Council for closed-session settlement discussions. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, through Chief of Civil Litigation Kathleen Kenealy, submitted a report on August 27, 2026, requesting that the Council convene in closed session under California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) to receive legal advice regarding potential settlement. That provision governs discussions with legal counsel about pending litigation. The report was prepared by Deputy City Attorney David L. Weisberg and copied to the Board of Public Works Commission, City risk managers, and Public Works tree surgery supervisors — suggesting the City's involvement may relate to tree or roadway maintenance conditions near the accident site. The City Attorney's report was formally submitted to the Council on September 9, 2026, and referred to the Budget and Finance Committee the following day. No committee hearing, vote, or settlement recommendation has yet been recorded. The file remains open and is set to expire on September 9, 2028, under standard Council procedure.

Activity (3)

  • 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)

View on CFMS →