Los Angeles will pay $20 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a Boyle Heights teen who lost his right leg after a hit-and-run crash at Whittier Boulevard and Orme Avenue on March 30, 2023. The boy, who was 13 at the time and is now 16, had his right leg amputated below the knee and suffered fractures and a mild traumatic brain injury. The money is intended to cover both his immediate needs and long-term medical care.
How the $20 million is divided
According to a filing in Los Angeles County Superior Court reported by Los Angeles Times, the settlement includes a $6 million lump-sum payment to the teen, about $4.5 million that will be placed in a trust until he turns 18, and roughly $9 million earmarked for attorney fees. The filing also lists a $72,000 reimbursement to Medi‑Cal. The structure is designed to provide both an immediate payout and longer-term funds for his ongoing care.
Orthopedic surgeon Stuart M. Gold told the court that Joshua will likely need additional surgeries and other medical treatment costing an estimated $1.5 million to $2 million over his lifetime, and that the teen "is currently unable to participate in any running activities," as reported by Los Angeles Times. Gold outlined how the injuries have already cut short the teenager's participation in sports.
Conviction and the investigation
The motorcyclist who struck the boy, identified as Erwin Alexander Majano, was arrested weeks after the crash and later pleaded no contest to felony hit‑and‑run. City records show he was sentenced to three years in state prison, according to City Clerk documents. ABC7 reported that LAPD investigators used surveillance video and witness tips to identify and track down Majano, and police reward paperwork filed with the city describes how claimant information assisted the investigation. The civil case settled after prosecutors secured the criminal plea and prison sentence.
After the collision, then-Councilmember Kevin de León obtained about $250,000 to install a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) beacon at Whittier and Orme. The LA Local and transportation officials note that the HAWK functions like a traffic signal to stop drivers while pedestrians cross. The beacon went into operation in October 2024, a change advocates called long overdue in a neighborhood where pedestrian safety has been an ongoing concern.
Budget strain and broader context
The $20 million payout lands at a time when Los Angeles is already feeling the squeeze from mounting legal liabilities. An analysis by LAist of city financial data shows Los Angeles is on track to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on settlements and judgments this fiscal year. City council members and budget staff have warned that repeated large payouts eat into funds that might otherwise go toward basic services and infrastructure upkeep.
The settlement closes the family's civil claims with a mix of immediate cash and trust-based payments for Joshua's long-term care, and it keeps alive broader debates over street design, enforcement and how the city plans for legal risk. For Boyle Heights residents, the case is a stark reminder that one dangerous intersection can leave lasting human and financial scars.
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