Jury Verdict Alert covered the trial of Payman Heravi v. City of Los Angeles (Case No. 20STCV35233), in which a jury awarded $6,056,052.22 after a 10-day trial before the Honorable Frederick Shaller. The plaintiff, represented by Simon Law Group attorney Maximilian Lee and co-counsel Analicia Avila of The Dominguez Firm, suffered a broken humerus and torn rotator cuff requiring multiple surgeries after tripping on a 2.5-by-3.75-inch sidewalk defect caused by tree roots. Despite a finding of 50% comparative negligence — resulting in a net verdict of $3,028,026.11 — the 12-0 jury returned its verdict after just two hours of deliberation. The City of Los Angeles had previously inspected the area multiple times without noting the dangerous condition, and its final settlement offer was $300,000.
- Case: Payman Heravi v. City of Los Angeles (No. 20STCV35233)
- Verdict: $6,056,052.22 (net $3,028,026.11 after 50% comparative negligence)
- Court: Los Angeles Superior Court | Hon. Frederick Shaller
- Attorney: Maximilian Lee, The Simon Law Group
- Trial: 10-day trial | 12-0 jury verdict | 2 hours deliberation
