LOS ANGELES — A jury has awarded a wedding photographer $3 million following a serious injury sustained from a damaged sidewalk in Woodland Hills nearly four years ago. Payman Heravi’s emotional response to the verdict reflected the ongoing challenges he faces due to the accident.
In December 2019, Heravi was walking along Ventura Boulevard when he tripped over a significant uplift in the sidewalk while checking his phone. The fall left him with lasting damage to his left arm, rendering it less functional and causing ongoing pain that has hampered his ability to work as a photographer.
“My shoulder is in constant pain, and I can’t use it like I used to,” Heravi said, describing the impact of his injuries. After undergoing three surgeries and extensive physical therapy, he remains unable to pursue his passion and livelihood as a wedding photographer.
Heravi’s legal representatives successfully argued that employees of the city of Los Angeles had previously acknowledged the sidewalk’s condition but failed to take action to repair it. “Sidewalks should be maintained properly,” said Max Lee, Heravi’s personal injury attorney. “Had they fixed this problem, Mr. Heravi might not be suffering daily.”
The jury’s award totaled $3,028,026, though the damaged sidewalk remains unrepaired. In the past five years, Los Angeles has paid out over $86 million in lawsuits related to sidewalk injuries.
Recent investigations revealed ongoing disputes regarding the maintenance of public infrastructure. One highlighted case involved an 85-year-old woman who has fought for eight years to repair the sidewalk in front of her home in the Fairfax District.
City Controller Kenneth Mejia has raised concerns about the rising costs associated with liability lawsuits in Los Angeles. The city recorded a staggering $286 million in liability payouts in the recently completed fiscal year, an increase from just $35 million two decades ago.
Mejia’s office is currently conducting an audit to evaluate the city’s approach to mitigating lawsuit risks. “Our investigation aims to determine whether the increase in liabilities is a result of a more litigious society or inadequate infrastructure maintenance,” he noted.
As the new fiscal year began on July 1, the city had already allocated more than $9 million for liability claims within the first month. Mejia remarked that this figure represents a decrease compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, suggesting a potential shift in trend.
Despite inquiries, the city’s Bureau of Engineering and the City Attorney’s Office have not provided responses regarding the sidewalk’s status or any plans for an appeal related to Heravi’s case. The ongoing legal and infrastructural issues continue to put the spotlight on Los Angeles’ accountability in maintaining public safety.
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