Injured Infant’s Family Seeks Payment

The family of a 5-week-old infant whose left arm was severed in a car crash stemming from a high-speed police pursuit asked the city of Los Angeles for $30 million Friday for the injuries they suffered, including emotional distress.

The parents of Harley Medellin are seeking $25 million for their son’s injuries plus $5 million for themselves, according to a legal claim filed on behalf of the family. The claim is the first step toward filing a lawsuit against the city and the Los Angeles Police Department.

The city has 45 days to either accept or reject the claim by Henry Medellin, 32, and his wife, Victoria, 30. If it is rejected, the Medellins can sue for damages.

An attorney for the city said he had not seen the claim and declined comment.

The Medellin vehicle was sideswiped Dec. 3 by a car fleeing police during a brief, high-speed pursuit in Sylmar. Seven people were injured, including the infant.

Since then, Los Angeles police officials have debated the department’s pursuit policy, with Chief William J. Bratton calling for a ban on chases that begin as a result of minor infractions. In this case, officers were pursuing suspects wanted in connection with a stabbing a few minutes earlier.

The Medellins are seeking compensation for their physical injuries and the emotional distress they suffered while witnessing the events that led to the severing of their son’s arm above the elbow.

Harley was released Tuesday from Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. The release was a week later than anticipated because the baby was suffering from seizures, said Stephen C. Mancini, the Medellins’ attorney.

The family’s claim alleges that the officers “conducted a pursuit with a complete, total and deliberate disregard for the safety of the public, exercising grossly negligent and reckless judgment during a 2 1/2-minute pursuit.”

“It may have been a legitimate chase because the police were chasing a suspected felon,” said Mancini, “but we question the judgment of police to begin a chase in a residential school zone at 2:40 in the afternoon without activating their lights and sirens.”

The parents want a new state law making it easier for victims to recover monetary damages from police agencies that initiate pursuits, Mancini said.

“And they want it to be called the Harley Medellin law,” the attorney added.