A wheelchair-bound passenger has filed a lawsuit against a transit company and its driver for negligence after suffering severe injuries in a transit van accident. Gustavo Rodriguez lodged the complaint in Ventura Superior Court on July 18, 2024, naming Ventura Transit System, Inc., and Masood Babaeian as defendants.
According to the court documents, Rodriguez alleges that on July 20, 2022, he boarded a Ventura Transit System van operated by an employee of the company. Despite being strapped into his wheelchair by the driver, Rodriguez claims that his wheelchair was improperly secured. As the vehicle made a turn, his wheelchair flipped backward, causing him to fall and sustain serious injuries to his head, neck, and left shoulder. The complaint states that this incident was due to the negligence of both Ventura Transit System and its employee-driver.
Rodriguez asserts that both Ventura Transit System and Masood Babaeian had a duty to ensure that his wheelchair was properly secured and to operate the vehicle with care. The complaint further accuses them of failing in this duty, which directly led to Rodriguez's injuries. "Defendants VENTURA TRANSIT and BABAEIAN... breached their duties when they negligently failed to secure RODRIGUEZ’s wheelchair," reads the document.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief from the court. These include compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, general damages for pain and suffering, pre- and post-judgment interest, as well as coverage for legal costs incurred during the suit.
Representing Gustavo Rodriguez are attorneys Michael Alder and Gabriela Baharvar from AlderLaw P.C., along with Richard L. Francis from the Law Offices of Richard L. Francis. The case is presided over by Judge Brenda L. McCormick under Case ID: 2024CUPA027204.