Fox News Camerawoman to file lawsuit against LA Police

Browne Greene Files Government Claim on Behalf of Fox TV Camerawoman Patti Ballaz Who Alleges She Was Attacked and Injured by LAPD Officers While Covering Immigration Rights Rally at MacArthur Park
Friday May 4, 1:00 pm ET

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Browne Greene filed a government claim for damages against the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department on behalf of Patricia "Patti" Ballaz. A camerawoman for FOX TV News in Los Angeles, Ms. Ballaz alleges that she was attacked and injured by Los Angeles Police Department Officers while she was on assignment covering a May 1, 2007 immigration rights rally at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, CA. This is a mandatory first step, required by California law, before the Claimant can file a civil law suit for personal injury against the Respondents in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Patti Ballaz, age 48, and Fox TV reporter Christina Gonzalez were on assignment, covering the May 1, 2007 Immigration Rights Rally in Los Angeles. At approximately 6:00 PM, they were on location at the rally at MacArthur Park and were standing within a police-designated area for the press. While Ms. Ballaz was filming the event, she was allegedly struck several times by members of the Los Angeles Police Department, who were using batons and who knocked both her and her camera to the ground, causing her to sustain severe injuries.

Claimant alleges that the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department were negligent and reckless in using unwarranted force at the rally which caused her to be injured, and later taken to St. John's Hospital for medical treatment. She also alleges that Respondents' acts or failures to act precipitated the dangerous conditions that led to her attack.

"Once again, the LAPD has failed to comport itself properly in protecting the public," stated Browne Greene, "and as a consequence an innocent person has been injured. If the LAPD had followed its own protocols, this never would have happened. Patti Ballaz was a victim of police brutality for simply being at the right place at the wrong time. Our goal will be to take this case to trial and to hold the LAPD accountable in a court of law."

Editor's Note #1:

Claimant Patricia "Patti" Ballaz is represented by Browne Greene and Robert D. Jarchi with the Santa Monica, CA. law firm of Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP (www.greene-broillet.com); Tel: 310-576-1200.

Editor's Note #2:

It is mandatory to first file a Government Claim for Damages, as required by California law before a civil suit can be filed against a governmental entity. Claimants have six months from the date of the incident to file such a claim or they may be barred from filing it. After the governmental entity denies a claim, the claimant then has six months from that date to file a civil suit in Superior Court against the governmental entity.

Contact:

Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP
Kathy Pinckert, Director of Marketing & Media Relations
310-562-0691
Kpinckert@greene-broillet.com

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