July 12, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Class Action Suit Against Bird and Lime Filed in L.A. County Superior Court

“Gross negligence” cited in first-class action suit against Bird and Lime.

By Sam Catanzaro

A class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of nine plaintiffs against e-scooter companies, including Bird and Lime, accusing operators of “gross negligence” and “aiding and abetting assault.” This is the first class-action suit filed against either Bird or Lime.

“While acting under the guise of the commendable goals of furthering personal freedom and mobility and protecting the environment, the defendants, and each of them, are endangering the health, safety and welfare of riders, pedestrians and the general public,” the suit states, alleging the e-scooter companies were aware riders were injuring pedestrians and by neglecting to stop the accidents from occurring, assisted scooter riders as they committed these “assaults.” Also named in the suit are manufactures Segway and Xiaomi.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior County Court last Friday, was submitted just a day before a woman was struck by a car while riding an e-scooter on Washington Boulevard in Santa Monica. The plaintiffs include both pedestrians who have been injured by scooter riders and riders hurt while operating faulty devices.

“I was struck from behind by a young man in a Bird scooter. My right arm was broken and my right bicep was severed for my lower arm struck,” said plaintiff David Petersen at a news conference Monday. Petersen had to undergo surgery following the incident to treat his torn bicep tendon.

Another plaintiff, Tina Ogata, was seriously injured by stationary scooters that were on the sidewalk.

“I did not see that there were two or three Lime scooters lying on the ground. I tripped over them, I broke my wrists,” Ogata said.

Also included in the suit is a boy who was hit by a rider illegally operating a scooter on the Santa Monica Beach Bike Path and a woman with a degenerative disease and arthritis in her knees who on multiple occasions has been unable to park in handicap spots because of Bird and Lime scooters blocking the spaces.

Los Angeles-based attorney Costell & Cornelius and McGee, Lerer & Associates filed the suit, say that in addition to seeking compensation for medical bills, plaintiffs also think that insurance should be required for scooter riders and devices should include visible license plates.

Both Bird and Lime said in separate statements that safety remains the companies’ top priority and pointed out that their devices make streets safer for pedestrians by reducing the number of cars on the road.

“Class action attorneys with a real interest in improving transportation safety should be focused on reducing the 40,000 deaths caused by cars every year in the U.S,” Bird said. “Bird, safety is our very top priority, and it drives our mission to get cars off the road to make cities safer and more livable.”

“Safety has always been at the very core of everything we do at Lime — as is our mission of reducing cars from city streets and making them safer and greener for pedestrians, bike and scooter riders alike,” reads a statement from Lime.

Related Posts

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

California Seizes $476 Million in Illegal Cannabis

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The operation, described as UCETF’s largest to date, involved support from multiple state agencies The state confiscated $476 million worth...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

For the Win Burger Chain Expanding to Brentwood: REPORT

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Popular items include the double cheeseburger with bacon and jalapenos, as well as loaded fries topped with For The Win...

The Bar at Century Plaza to Celebrate National Caviar Day with Exclusive Tastings

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The seven-hour event will feature exclusive caviar tastings and champagne pairings The Bar at Fairmont Century Plaza will host a...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Angelini Grill Opens Limited Run at Peninsula Beverly Hills

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The menu includes tableside Dover Sole, lobster salad, and a signature pasta tasting A new culinary collaboration, Angelini Grill, launched...

Jack Kirby Exhibit Opens at Skirball Cultural Center

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The display features original comic illustrations, fine art, and commercial works, many shown publicly for the first time A new...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...