BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
On the eve of a trial, the city of Palo Alto has settled a lawsuit with a woman who was hit by a police officer while she was walking in a downtown crosswalk.
The city will pay $400,000 to settle the lawsuit filed by Pamela McGavock, 67, of Palo Alto, City Attorney Molly Stump said in an email.
McGavock was hit by Officer Arturo Bravo at the intersection of Forest Avenue and Alma Street around 6 p.m. on May 14, 2022.
Bravo testified that he heard a chime on his car’s laptop as he turned left onto southbound Alma Street, and he briefly looked away from the road as he was going about 15 mph. When Bravo looked back, he said he saw McGavock in the crosswalk and slammed on his brakes before knocking her to the pavement.
Aftermath, injuries
After the crash, Bravo helped load McGavock into an ambulance, which brought to the Caltrain parking lot across the street, and she walked home after an interview with a Mountain View police officer.
McGavock said she walked home despite feeling “weird” because she lived across the street and thought she could treat herself with rest and over-the-counter medicine.
But the crash caused long-lasting spinal injuries, resulting in two significant surgeries and $630,534 in medical bills, her lawsuit said.
McGavock said the crash “radically changed” her active lifestyle, which involved riding her scooter and playing games with her grandkids.
“Simple tasks such as showering became difficult, and she was unable to stand or lift pots and pans to cook,” her attorney said in a court statement.
City’s argument
Attorney Jeffrey Oneal, representing the city, said McGavock exaggerated her injuries and that her spinal surgeries were caused by “degenerative changes.”
“Other than the initial ER visit, all medical treatment has been attorney-directed and managed,” Oneal said in a court statement.
McGavock is “a very nice likable witness who engenders some sympathy … However, she is an exceedingly poor witness and historian,” Oneal said.
The city planned to call two doctors to discuss McGavock’s MRI results and treatment history.
The city admitted liability, but the two sides were far apart on damages.
McGavock offered to settle for $600,000 in March 2023 and in June asked for $1.25 million because of her surgeries since then, court records show. The city offered $50,000.
The case was headed for a trial on Oct. 6, but both sides told the court that they had settled the case on Monday.
Also on Monday, Palo Alto City Council voted to add $85,000 to the city’s contract with One, bringing the total contract amount to $170,000 for defending the city.