CITY OF OAKLAND
O N E F R A N K H. O G A W A P L A Z A • 6 TH F L O O R • O A K L A N D , C A L I F O R N I A 94612 Office of the City Attorney
Ryan Richardson
City Attorney
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TDD:
(510) 238-6523
(510) 238-6523
(510) 839-6451
February 18, 2025
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Oakland, California
Subject: Adrien J. Bennett and Adriana Bennett v. City of Oakland and DOES 1-20
Case No. 22CV016975
City Attorney File No. 35357
(Department of Transportation – Dangerous Condition)
President Gallo and Members of the City Council:
Pursuant to Section 401 of the Charter, the City Attorney has prepared and requests your approval of a resolution authorizing compromise and settlement of the above-entitled lawsuit for the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars and Zero ($150,000.00) payable to Plaintiffs Adrien J. Bennet and Adriana Bennett in a manner specified by Plaintiffs’ counsel.
Plaintiffs allege that their father, decedent Joseph Bennett (“Bennett”), was driving on Frontage Rd. near 10th Street at 1:50 a.m. on January 17, 2022 when Bennett traveled out of the lane and collided into an intermodal chassis that had been abandoned in the marked open center median. Plaintiffs allege that the median lines were not visible, and that the roadway was a dangerous condition of public property.
Bennett was pronounced deceased at the scene. Bennett’s two adult children filed a wrongful death action alleging economic damages for funeral expense s and non - economic damages for the los s of love, care, comfort and guidance of their deceased father.
The City has determined that settlement of the Bennetts’ lawsuit against the City for the total sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($150,000.00) (to be split b etween the two Plaintiffs), on behalf of the City, without admitting liability and to avoid further litigation, is in the best interest of the City.
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
February 18, 2025
Subject: Adrien J. Bennett and Adriana Bennett v. City of Oakland and DOES 1-20
The City Council authorized settlement of this case in C losed Session on Thursday, February 6, 2025 (moved by Councilmember Carroll Fife and seconded by Councilmember Ken Hous ton - 7 Ayes, 1 Absent – Council President Kevin Jenkins (serving as Mayor pursuant to Charter Section 303).
Respectfully submitted,
RYAN RICHARDSON
City Attorney
Assigned Attorney:
Lorena Matei
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