Castelblanco Law Firm Files Lawsuit against LAUSD and Bus Company for Negligence in Accident Injuring Handicapped Student.

LOS ANGELES -- A lawsuit for negligence has been filed in Los Angeles Superior Court against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and two bus companies, which transport its students, on behalf of a 6th grade student afflicted with muscular dystrophy. According to the lawsuit, Edgar Prado, 12, who is confined to a wheelchair, was severely injured in September 2004 while being transported to school on a LAUSD school bus.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Adriana Prado, Edgar's mother, against the LAUSD as well as Atlantic Express of L.A., Inc. and Atlantic Express of California, Inc. Causes of action cited in the lawsuit include Motor Vehicle, Negligent Hiring and Negligent Supervision, and it seeks general and compensatory damages as well as hospital and medical expenses.

According to Eric E. Castelblanco, whose Beverly Hills, CA-based law firm is representing Ms. Prado, the accident occurred shortly after Edgar was picked up at his home in South Los Angeles to be transported to Henry Clay Middle School, a LAUSD special education school. The bus allegedly hit something in the road, he reported, which jarred Edgar out of his seat and resulted in his sustaining fractures to both his back and ankle.

Noting that Edgar was suffering from muscular dystrophy and already wheelchair bound, Castelblanco commented: "It is a particularly egregious case of negligence on the part of the driver and bus company that when they are transporting someone who is already in a wheelchair, they do not take proper precautions to protect his health and safety. This is totally irresponsible and it is imperative that they be held accountable to ensure the future safety of other students."

Castelblanco reported that Edgar, who now resides with his family in Pomona, CA, still suffers acute pain from injuries received in the accident. He emphasized that the LAUSD and the bus company, United Express, are responsible for the safety of students being transported to and from school and must share the liability for the unsafe operation of the buses. Further, Castelblanco added that the LAUSD did not exercise due care when it failed to properly supervise, control or regulate the operation of the buses operated by United Express on its behalf.