The Los Angeles City Council approved a $6.5 million settlement Wednesday of a lawsuit brought by a man who said he was severely injured when his bicycle hit a pothole in Sherman Oaks.
According to his lawsuit, Peter Godefroy was injured May 2, 2015, on Valley Vista Boulevard near the intersection with Woodman Avenue and suffered severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and numerous broken or fractured bones.
The lawsuit, which was brought by Godefroy and his wife, Patricia, against the city contended the road was “negligently inspected, maintained and controlled so as to create a concealed trap for bicyclists.”
A spokesman for Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer declined to comment.
“We are thankful that the city has taken responsibility for the dangerous roadway that severely injured Mr. Godefroy,” Godefroy’s attorney, Spencer Lucas, said. “Peter has been tremendously brave throughout this case and we are hopeful that this result will help further his recovery.”
According to a motion submitted earlier this month by City Councilman Paul Krekorian, the city paid more than $15 million in settlements in 2016 alone to bicyclists who had sued the city over road conditions. The motion calls for the city to inspect every lane of Class I and Class II bike paths and bike lanes in the city and to produce a cost estimate for bringing any deficient pavement up to appropriate standards.
–City News Service