An agreement in principle has been reached to settle the lawsuit brought on behalf of a 16-year-old autistic boy who alleges that management at the Park La Brea apartment complex has wrongfully denied his family access to a parking space closer to his unit.
The boy is identified only as C.R. in the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit against PLB Management LLC, which states that the teen becomes increasingly agitated when he hears loud noises. The suit contends that the requested accommodation of a reserved parking space in front of his apartment is necessary to minimize his risk of physical harm and emotional distress because he would not have to walk so far.
On Thursday, an attorney for the boy and his mother/guardian, identified only as T.J., told Judge Robert B. Broadbelt that an agreement in principle to settle the entire case had been reached and that a request for dismissal will be filed within 75 days. The judge told the lawyer to file the court papers no later than Dec. 31. No terms were divulged.
According to the lawsuit, the teen’s disabilities sometimes manifest themselves by impairing his mobility, which limits the distance he can walk, particularly in an agitated state. He is also particularly sensitive to loud noises, which cause him acute distress, the suit states.
Once the boy becomes uncontrolled, it is difficult to contain his behavior and when in a state of panic, he engages in self-injurious behavior, according to the suit filed July 11.
The requested accommodation of a reserved parking space in front of his apartment is necessary to minimize risk of physical harm and mental/emotional distress,” the suit states.
The apartment complex’s resident services manager said that no parking space accommodation has ever been made for elderly or disabled tenants because it would create discontent with non-disabled tenants and prompt many similar requests for reserved spaces, according to the suit.