Sparks rejects $1.2 million settlement from woman knocked down by firefighter

The Sparks City Council voted on Monday to unanimously reject a $1.2 million settlement offer from Maureen Hvegholm over claims that a Sparks firefighter knocked her down while she was feeding feral cats in an alleyway near Victorian Avenue in 2022.

Hvegholm had sought $2 million in compensation, but the council voted to pay her $500,000 if she accepted the compromise instead of proceeding with her lawsuit against the city and firefighter Timothy Egan. In return, Hvegholm presented a $1.2 million counteroffer.

There was no discussion or questions at the meeting, and the council simply moved to reject the offer.

Hvegholm's family and attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Court filing: Sparks police framed elderly woman after altercation with firefighter

Legal counsel had told the council that if Egan’s actions are found to be “in policy” — covered by the city’s insurance — then the city would owe $300,000, with the rest of their $500,000 offer covered by its insurance carrier.

If not, the city would be on the hook for the full amount.

It's uncertain if Egan — who was on light duty because of a leg injury — was acting "in policy" and on the job when he interacted with Hvegholm.

Background on the altercation, lawsuit

The altercation took place Dec. 8, 2022, when Egan confronted Hvegholm, then 84, as she fed cats in the alley behind the fire station. Egan used a leg sweep to send her to the ground, according to an independent investigation authorized by the city of Sparks. The investigation found Egan was “responsible for creating the physical altercation” with Hvegholm.

Hvegholm sustained a bruise on her forehead, and her family says she suffers pain and has declined mentally since the incident. She suffered a heart attack in April, her family said.

Hvegholm’s attorney, Luke Busby, submitted a letter to the Sparks City Attorney’s office in April, demanding $1.6 million to settle the litigation. In early May, Busby sent another letter saying that Hvegholm's “current and future healthcare needs” amounted to roughly $2.7 million, according to the city report.

The city then presented a $250,00 offer to settle after Egan and Hvegholm had a mediation meeting on May 7 before retired Judge Janet Berry, where Hvegholm said she would settle for $2 million, according to the report. The council then had the choice to accept, reject or counteroffer. They came back with the $500,000 counteroffer, which Hvegholm did not take.

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: Sparks rejects $1.2 million settlement from woman knocked down by firefighter