Los Angeles, CA – September 26, 2025 | Brain Injury Help Center News
A 79-year-old Los Angeles business owner is pursuing legal action after suffering broken ribs and a suspected brain injury after a federal raid at his car wash. The incident has raised serious questions about the use of force by federal agents and the denial of urgent medical care.
Details of the Incident
According to a federal tort claim filed by civil rights attorney V. James DeSimone, immigration agents with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement entered Valley Car Wash in Van Nuys on September 9.
Surveillance footage shows agents shoving the business owner, identified as Rafie Ollah Shouhed, to the ground “without provocation.” The impact left him with broken ribs and symptoms consistent with a traumatic brain injury. Despite his pleas for help, Shouhed was detained for nearly 12 hours without medical attention.
Shouhed, who had a history of heart problems and recent heart surgery, repeatedly told agents he was struggling to breathe. Still, his requests for medical care were ignored. He was ultimately released without charges and taken to the hospital by his daughter.
Allegations of Civil Rights Violations
The claim accuses federal agents of assault and battery, violations of the California Bane Act, and deliberate indifference to Shouhed’s serious medical condition in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. The filing also cites intentional infliction of emotional distress and denial of medical attention.
Attorney DeSimone described the incident as “an outrageous and unlawful assault on a 79-year-old American citizen in his own place of business.”
Since the raid, Shouhed has experienced painful, shallow breathing, shortness of breath, and ongoing complications linked to his injuries. His business operations were also temporarily shut down after employees feared returning to work.
How Brain Injury Help Center Can Help
At the Brain Injury Help Center, we stand with victims of negligence, excessive force, and wrongful conduct. Our team partners with experienced personal injury and civil rights attorneys to help victims of traumatic brain injury seek justice and compensation for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering.
We also provide access to medical professionals and resources to support long-term recovery, because the impact of a TBI doesn’t end when the incident does—it can last a lifetime.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to negligence, like in a car accident or slip and fall, you are not alone. Contact the Brain Injury Help Center today for a free consultation. We are here to connect you with the medical and legal support you need to rebuild your life.
