Attorneys for an 85-year-old woman who was seriously injured when a Department of Water and Power electrical line fell on her in March while she was walking in the Fairfax District are asking for an expedited trial for their client.
Lawyers for Ann Gelfand and her husband, 87-year-old Martin Gelfand, filed court papers Thursday with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lynne M. Hobbs asking for an early trial date due to their clients’ ages. A hearing is scheduled Aug. 15.
“Ann Gelfand sustained severe injuries which resulted in debilitating and lifelong deficits that will require future medical care,” the plaintiffs’ attorneys state in their court papers. “Mr. Gelfand also has a substantial interest in this case as he has suffered a loss of consortium due to his wife’s injuries.”
According to the suit filed June 7 alleging negligence and dangerous condition of public property, Ann Gelfand was walking near the corner of Kilkea Drive and Clinton Street on March 1 when an electrical power line fell from an overhead pole, wrapped around the woman and caused her to fall to the ground. She suffered a “massive blow to the head” as well as a fractured knee and ankle that required surgery and her recovery is ongoing, her lawyers’ court papers state.
Ann Gelfand also continues to have blurry vision in her right eye, needs a home health nurse to assist her with wound care dressing and uses a wheelchair, according to her attorneys’ court papers.