Civil Rights and Trial Attorney John Gomez Announces Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Developmentally Disabled Man Killed at Fallbrook Care Facility

Gomez and Trial Attorney James Carraway of Gomez Trial Attorneys stood alongside Ryan's father, Bruce Radabaugh, and members of the family outside Stepping Stone Resources on Tuesday to discuss the lawsuit and what attorneys alleged was a preventable tragedy.

The lawsuit paints a picture of a vulnerable man who depended on others for his safety and supervision.

Ryan was a dependent adult with autism spectrum disorder and an intellectual and developmental disability. He was largely nonverbal and had a documented self-soothing behavior of seeking physical warmth by lying on surfaces including cement, asphalt and artificial turf. His tendency to lie in warm areas was so familiar to those who knew him that he had affectionately been nicknamed "Lizard Man."

According to the complaint, Ryan's behavior was known to those responsible for his care, and he had previously been observed engaging in the behavior within Stepping Stone's gated recreation and parking area.

On July 23, 2026, Ryan arrived at Stepping Stone Resources at approximately 8:40 a.m. Less than 20 minutes later, the lawsuit alleges, Ryan was lying unsupervised in the facility's parking lot while under Stepping Stone's custody, care and control.

A vehicle driven by Stepping Stone employee entered the parking lot and struck Ryan, causing catastrophic blunt-force injuries. Ryan was transported to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 9:45 a.m.

For Gomez, the lawsuit centers not only on what happened that morning, but also on what the facility allegedly knew before Ryan was killed.

"This case is about a vulnerable man whose family trusted others to protect him — and whether a tragedy that had already been foreshadowed could and should have been prevented," Gomez said. "When an organization accepts responsibility for people who cannot protect themselves, their safety cannot be optional."

One of the central allegations in the lawsuit involves an incident approximately 13 months before Ryan's death.

The complaint alleges that in June 2025, another Stepping Stone client with limited safety awareness and a similar tendency to lie down was found unsupervised in the same parking lot.

According to the lawsuit, a witness reported the situation to California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing and said that had she driven into the parking lot as she normally would have, she could have accidentally run over the client.

The complaint alleges Stepping Stone management knew about the incident.

Ryan's family and attorneys contend that the earlier incident should have prompted additional safeguards. The lawsuit alleges Stepping Stone failed to adequately address the danger through measures such as increased supervision, physical barriers, vehicle restrictions, revised staffing procedures or other protections designed to keep vulnerable clients away from moving vehicles.

Thirteen months later, Ryan was killed in that parking lot.

Tuesday's press conference also gave Ryan's family an opportunity to speak publicly about the man behind the lawsuit and the devastating impact of his death.

Bruce Radabaugh spoke as a father who had entrusted others with the care of a son who could not always recognize or protect himself from danger.

Ryan's sister, Erin Radabaugh, also spoke about the impact her brother's death has had on the family and the years their parents spent making sure Ryan received the care and protection his disabilities required.

The family's attorneys say those circumstances are critical to understanding the case because Stepping Stone was not simply providing Ryan with a place to spend his day. The lawsuit alleges the facility had assumed responsibility for supervising and protecting a dependent adult who required assistance with significant aspects of daily life.

Carraway joined Gomez at the press conference to address the legal claims and the responsibilities the lawsuit alleges were owed to Ryan.

The lawsuit names Stepping Stone Resources, Inc., administrator and employee as defendants.

Bruce Radabaugh brought the action individually and as successor-in-interest to his son.

The complaint asserts causes of action for negligence and wrongful death, negligence per se, negligent hiring, training, supervision and retention, premises liability, dependent adult neglect and a survival action.

Among the allegations are claims that Stepping Stone failed to adequately supervise Ryan, prevent him from entering a vehicle-accessible parking lot, respond appropriately to his known behavior and the previous parking lot incident, and implement appropriate barriers, staffing and monitoring.

The lawsuit also alleges Rodriguez failed to maintain a reasonable lookout while operating the vehicle that struck Ryan.

The family is seeking damages for the loss of Ryan's love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society and moral support, as well as other damages and relief available under the law.

The lawsuit also seeks punitive and exemplary damages against Stepping Stone Resources and Munoz.

For Gomez Trial Attorneys and the Radabaugh family, Tuesday's announcement focused heavily on whether Ryan's death could have been prevented.

The allegations raise broader questions about the level of responsibility assumed by facilities entrusted with adults who have developmental disabilities and may be unable to recognize dangerous situations or independently protect themselves.

The family contends that the warning signs existed before July 23 and that Ryan should never have been able to lie unsupervised in an area accessible to vehicles.

Through the lawsuit, Ryan's father is now seeking answers about the supervision his son received, the safety measures in place at the facility and what actions were taken following the earlier parking lot incident.

The allegations in the complaint have not yet been adjudicated, and the defendants will have an opportunity to respond as the litigation proceeds.

Gomez Trial Attorneys is representing Bruce Radabaugh individually and as successor-in-interest to Ryan Edward Radabaugh in the case pending before the San Diego County Superior Court.

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SOURCE Gomez Trial Attorneys