June 6, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Board of Supervisors to Pay Out $1.7 Million Lawsuit Brought

The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to pay out $1.7 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a newlywed inadvertently run over by a lifeguard’s SUV while sunbathing at Venice Beach more than two years ago.

Lorae Bermudez of Whittier suffered a lacerated liver when she was struck about 4:20 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2014, according to her court papers. She and her husband, Thomas Kim, sued Los Angeles County two months later, alleging negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

“She (Bermudez) still shudders at the thought that this happened to her and could happen to other innocent people at the beach,” the couple’s attorney, Robert Glassman, said in August, when a tentative settlement was reached. “She’ll never forget. But she’s happy to put this behind her and move on with her life with her family.”

According to her June 2015 deposition, Bermudez, then 26, was lying on a beach towel on the sand when “I felt this crushing weight come over me.” Her husband was swimming in the water at the time.

After the wheels of the SUV had passed over her, Bermudez said she was “able to scream and yell and cry. I knew who it was that ran me over, so I expected immediate help.”

She said other sunbathers were present, but they did not respond to her pleas for help. “So at that point I began to scream out, `Somebody please help me,’ and I shouted that out several times,” Bermudez said.

Bermudez said she asked a man who approached her to find her husband and gave a description of what her spouse was wearing.

Lifeguard Lidia Barillas was deposed last September. Asked whether she believed in retrospect that she should have noticed Bermudez before running over her, the witness replied, “I hope I see everyone. So, yes, I should have seen her,” according to her deposition.

Barillas testified that she believed Bermudez did nothing to contribute to the accident. Barillas said she had left her tower to warn swimmers about dangerous conditions, was traveling 2 to 4 mph and that a warning beeper on her Ford Escape was activated.

A corrective action plan provided to the board listed changes to policies and recurring safety training on beach driving, as well as alternative vehicles for beach driving.

Bermudez was at least the third person struck by a vehicle while lying on an area beach in 2014, and the second on Venice Beach that year, according to the Los Angeles Times. The other two cases involved a trash truck and a county maintenance vehicle.

A county beach maintenance vehicle also ran over a man on Venice Beach last November, causing serious injuries.

 

465988507

Related Posts

(Video) See How CO2 Laser Treatment Removes Wrinkles and Scars

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

To Book an Appointment, Go to Mirrormirrormedspa.com To Book an Appointment, Go to https://t.co/GQ7DNcGw8E pic.twitter.com/OdAVVpLIcw — CCNewsLA (@CCWNNews) June 5,...

Film Review: Dangerous Animals

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

By Dolores Quintana There’s nothing quite like a good shark horror movie, especially since we are heading into summer. With...

Erewhon and LGBTQ Singer Kali Uchis Serve Summer Smoothie for a Good Cause

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

The Sincerely Smoothie Blends Passionfruit, Pitaya, and Malk Coconut Milk LGBTQ singer Kali Uchis has teamed up with Erewhon to...

Levain Bakery and Wanderlust Creamery Team Up for a Sweet Cause This Saturday

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Lily Rosenthal and Chef Mason Royal Host a Cookie & Ice Cream Celebration Larchmont’s Levain Bakery will host a community...

Vietnamese Street Food Pop-Up ‘Little C’ Returns to Crustacean for Limited Lunch Series

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

After a Sold-Out Debut, the Fan-Favorite Phở-Forward Concept Reopens  Following a sold-out debut, the Vietnamese street food concept “Little C”...

Fogo de Chão Unveils Fiery Off-Menu Cocktail, the Paper Flame

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Tequila-Based Drink Features a Dramatic Tableside Presentation Fogo de Chão has unveiled its first-ever secret cocktail, the Paper Flame, an...

Marelle Launches ‘The Guest List’ With Renowned Chefs and Friends Alan Wong and Raphael Lunetta

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Santa Monica’s New Chef Series Debuts With a Culinary Celebration of California and Hawaiian Flavors Marelle, a coastal dining destination...

Culver City’s Citizen Public Market Launches Summer Lineup of Food and Art

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

From Brats to Biryani: Citizen Public Market Unveils Fantastic New Flavors  Culver City’s Citizen Public Market is rolling out a...

(Video) Some of the Damage Caused By Vandals at Malibu High School Overnight

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

40 to 50 people, who are suspected to be students or recent alumni, used eggs, flour, and markers to deface...

Biggest Night of the Year: Don’t Miss GMCLA’s ‘Dancing Queens’

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Culminating its 46th season, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will grace the crowd with Dancing Queens, celebrating iconic...

Driver Arrested for Suspected DUI After Rollover Crash in West Los Angeles

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

One Person Hospitalized, Light Pole Smashed After Late-Night Collision One driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI, and another person...

Pluto TV and Oscar-Winning Director Sean Baker Team Up to Host Free Weekend Screenings

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Popcorn Challenge Interactive Event Set for Westfield Century City Mall  The historic Gardena Cinema, one of the last single-screen, family-operated...

Former ‘Real Housewives’ Husband Sentenced to Over 7 Years for $15 Million Client Fraud 

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Federal Judge Rejects Plea for Medical Placement, Orders Restitution and Prison Time Disgraced former attorney Tom Girardi was sentenced Tuesday...

Malibu High Targeted in Overnight Vandalism Spree; Investigation Underway

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Destruction on Campus Prompts Sheriff’s Probe; Students May Face Charges Vandals caused extensive damage to the school property of Malibu...

A Season of Gratitude: After One Year in Business, Urban Jungle Continues Making its Mark

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Over the last year, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, has continued its mission to cultivate a place...