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# Man who lost arm in Big Blue Bus accident goes to trial against City Hall
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/fabian-lewkowicz-daily-press-harlan-hayes-20-a-climber-from-santa-monica-keeps-his-balance-at-the-beach-as-he-steadies-himself-on-the-slack-line-suit/
- Published: 2006-02-22T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T17:17:33.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Crime, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

WEST LA — A trial is expected to begin today in a civil lawsuit against City Hall levied by a man who lost his arm and suffered brain damage when attempting to board a Big Blue Bus nearly two years ago.

Haroun Mehdipour is suing City Hall and the Big Blue Bus for negligence after he lost his left arm and suffered brain injury when he was struck by a Big Blue Bus of Santa Monica while attempting to board it on May 5, 2004.

Opening statements in the case are expected today in Los Angeles Superior Court’s West Los Angeles Division before Judge John L. Segal. The trial is expected to last between two and three weeks.

Mehdipour and his wife, Parvin Mehdipour, are represented by Santa Monica lawyers Browne Greene and Geoffrey S. Wells, who work at the law firm of Greene Broillet & Wheeler LLP. The firm is representing several victims in their civil lawsuits against City Hall over the July 16, 2003, farmers’ market accident in which 10 people were killed and dozens injured.

On Nov. 18, 2004, Mehdipour filed a civil complaint for damages. He claimed negligence, negligent hiring and negligent supervision, among other charges. Mehdipour alleges that City Hall and the Big Blue Bus were negligent in the hiring and supervision of its bus driver and are thus responsible for the events that caused his injuries.

Mehdipour, 79, was attempting to board a Big Blue Bus at the corner of Barrington and Santa Monica Boulevard. On the sidewalk alongside the bus, Mehdipour was touching the bus and trying to get the driver’s attention as he walked toward the front door, according to the lawsuit. The Big Blue Bus driver closed the front door before Mehdipour could enter and drove off, running over Mehdipour and causing the injuries, including the degloving of his left arm — which subsequently had to be amputated — and a traumatic brain injury, according to the lawsuit. An eyewitness to the incident drove up to the bus and signaled to the driver to stop, but he waved her off and drove away, according to Mehdipour’s attorneys.

Attempts at a settlement failed last week, said chief deputy city attorney Jeanette Schachtner.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/022206-01_01.jpg)

Harlan Hayes, 20, a climber from Santa Monica, keeps his balance at the beach as he steadies himself on the slack line. (Photo: Fabian Lewkowicz/Daily Press)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 22, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/022206.pdf?ref=smdp.com)