At first glance, it might appear plaintiffs attorney Jessica Ayala had no case: Police declined to press charges against a driver who struck her client, a 10-year-old boy who had run into the road.

Not only that, but the police report said the boy was at fault for the collision that led to his own injuries. Officers even gave the boy, Gianni Fontanez, a verbal warning for reckless use of a highway by a pedestrian. A witness, a bus driver, had told police the boy was running into the street.