First Admitted: 1992, California

Professional Webpage: http://www.reslaw.com/attorneys/victoria-l-ersoff/

Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):

Ms. Ersoff reached a $9 million settlement on behalf of her clients on November 2, 2021 in the case of Luis, et al., v. Golden Western, LLC et al., (LASC, Central District, Case No. 19STCV14686). On April 1, 2018, Agustin Hernandez and Marina Martinez Luis moved into a rental home owned by defendants. Plaintiffs moved in with Agustin's father and the couple's two young children Mia and Jacob. Minor children Chelsy and Izzac were born shortly after the family moved into the residence. Over time, all four children developed symptoms consistent with childhood lead poisoning including inattention, impulsivity, aggression, and mood instability. Jacob also suffered from delayed language development. Routine venous blood tests revealed that Mia had a blood lead level ("BLL") of 2 mcg/dL, Jacob 4mcg/dL, Chelsy 5mcg/dL and Izzac 7 mcg/dL. The mean BLL in U.S. children is .86 mcg/dL. On October 28, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control lowered the reference level for lead in blood from 5 mcg/dL to 3.5 mcg/dL. Marina Martinez Luis, Mia Hernandez Martinez, Jacob Hernandez Martinez, Chelsy Hernandez Martinez, Izzac Hernandez, Agustin Hernandez Martinez and Jaime Melesio Hernandez sued the landlords of the property, Golden Western, LLC and Robinson Nejat Haiem. Plaintiffs alleged claims for breach of the implied warranty of habitability, tortious breach of the implied warranty of habitability, negligence, private nuisance, intentional infliction of emotional distress, Violation of Civil Code, Section 1942.4 and Violation of Business & Professions Code, Section 17200. Plaintiffs contend that the property was built in the early 1900's at a time when exterior and interior house paint contained up to 50% lead content. Plaintiffs further alleged that an inspection confirmed the presence of deteriorated lead-based paint far in excess of federal and state regulatory limits throughout the property. Plaintiffs contend that prior to moving in, the onsite manager presented plaintiffs with lease documents to sign. When plaintiffs told the manager that they could not read the English language lease documents, the manager told them if they didn't sign the documents that day, they would lease the residence to another tenant. Shortly after moving in, plaintiffs discovered that the exterior and interior paint at the property was chipped and flaking. Plaintiffs contend the defendants failed to identify, test for and abate the deteriorated lead-based paint on the exterior and interior of the family’s home and told plaintiffs that they could either paint the deteriorated surfaces themselves or move out. Plaintiffs’ counsel noted that after the lawsuit was filed defendants sent a mold inspector to the home to test for lead. Plaintiffs' counsel asserts that mold inspector whom defendant found on Google had no certifications in lead testing or remediation and scraped paint off the components in the house which only increased the lead hazards in the home. Plaintiffs also complained about a serious cockroach and vermin infestation at the property. Defendants disputed plaintiffs’ claims and contended that the family caused the conditions at the property. , 2021
Ms. Ersoff settled the case of Mendoza, et al., v. RACC Properties, LLC, et. al., on behalf of her clients for $3 million. The plaintiffs are 7 families of grandparents, parents and children who were living in homes plagued with vermin, plumbing leaks, chronic mold growth and numerous other defects that have rendered the apartments substandard and uninhabitable for years. In the 11 years defendants owned the property, the Los Angeles County Department of Health issued hundreds of health and safety violations against defendants, many remaining outstanding for months on end. From 2011 until the filing of the lawsuit, defendants performed minimal maintenance and repairs at the property, and provided no professional pest control despite severe infestations in the apartments. After initial discovery was completed, Ms. Ersoff was able to globally resolve the case in mediation for $3 million., 2022
In December 2018, a jury returned a verdict in favor of Ms. Ersoff's client Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. and the remaining defendants in the case of Karen Cullinane v. Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc.; Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.; H.J.K. Enterprises, Inc. dba La Fogata Restaurant following a 6 week trial in the case of Cullinane v. Jones Lang LaSalle, et. al., (Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2015-00796929-CU-PO-CJC). Plaintiff Karen Cullinan, a former Vice President and Branch Manager at a Citibank, claimed that she was permanently disabled with lung injuries, a fungal mycosis and other debilitating injuries as a result of repeated exposure to mold in the basement of the bank where she worked. Defendants disputed plaintiffs' claims. Following a 6 week trial, the jury returned a 12-0 verdict in favor of Ms. Ersoff's client and the other defendants. , 2018
On July 28, 2021, Ms. Ersoff settled the case of Espena, et. al., v. 523 S. Moreland LLC, et al., for $1,150,000.00 Prior owner defendants 523 S. Westmoreland LLC and Joseph M. Nankin and their insurer State Farm paid $150,000.00 prior to mediation. Current owner defendant 523 S. Westmoreland Ave. LLC and property manager Statewide Enterprises, Inc. and insurer QBE Specialty Insurance Company paid plaintiffs' policy limits demand of $1 million subsequent to mediation. Plaintiff Milagros Quinto Espena, Erik Javier Granados and their two young children Elizabeth Morgan Granados and Erik Kingston Granados were tenants at San Mar Manor on Westmoreland Avenue in Los Angeles. Plaintiffs claim that the 56-unit apartment building was swarming with vermin and chronically infested with bed bugs and cockroaches. Since moving into the apartment building 6 years ago, plaintiffs assert that they have been victimized by bed bugs, cockroaches, rats, water leaks, plumbing leaks, sewage water floods, chronic mold growth, degraded and hazardous flooring, damaged walls and broken windows, and other defects that have rendered the apartment uninhabitable. Plaintiffs allege breach of implied warranty of habitability, tortious breach of implied warranty of habitability, negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, private nuisance, and violations of Cal. Civ. Code Section 1942.4 and Cal. Bus. and Prof. Code Sec. 17200. Plaintiffs assert that defendants avoided and ignored their complaints, rejected requests for testing and repairs, and repeatedly failed to properly repair, remediate, and abate dangerous and hazardous conditions. Plaintiffs allege that they suffered from personal injuries and property damage as a result of defendants' negligence., 2021

Honors/Awards:

California Super Lawyer 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018. Named one of the Top 100 Women Litigators in California for 2009 by the Daily Journal. Pasadena Magazine Top Attorney. Leading Lawyer in America, Law Dragon , Awards, Super Lawyer

Other Outstanding Achievements:

Women of Influence - Attorneys: Victoria was included in the 2022 edition of the Los Angeles Business Journal’s special section honoring the LA region’s most influential women legal professionals, Women of Influence - Attorneys., 2022

Industry Groups:

Consumers

Victoria L. Ersoff