A San Diego resident is suing the city for $35 million after a fall in May left him with life-changing injuries.
The 70-year-old, who lives in Pacific Beach, was hurt on May 11 after tripping on a sidewalk in Mission Hills near the corner of West Washington Street and Albatross Drive.
According to reports, he broke both his back and neck in the accident and now requires round-the-clock medical attention.
His attorney, William M. Berman, said the man had been returning to his car with his wife after eating at a nearby sushi restaurant.
The fall was recorded by CCTV from a local animal clinic.
Video shows the man walking with a mobility aid before his foot appears to catch on an exposed parking meter base near the curb.
The parking meter had reportedly been removed more than a year earlier, but its base was still sticking out from the sidewalk.
According to the claim, the city left the raised metal base and exposed bolts in place while the curb remained painted for 30-minute parking.
After stumbling, the man falls headfirst into his car, suffering the severe injuries.
“They protrude about an inch to two inches from the sidewalk. The city needs to make sure they’re taking out these bases from the sidewalks.”
Berman is now pursuing $35,000,000 in damages, arguing that the city left the meter base in “a dangerous condition.”
He has also claimed that similar sidewalk hazards can be found in other parts of San Diego, including Mission Hills, Hillcrest and near Balboa Park.
The man was released from the hospital and is recovering at home, though he still needs constant medical supervision.
“My client wants the city to maintain its public sidewalks in a safe condition.
“My client wants to make sure that the city’s responsbile in its maintenance program.”
Berman further alleged that the city had supposedly “ran out of money to maintain is parking meter maintenance program,” which he said has left exposed bases that pose “a danger to the public.”
Some local residents have also voiced worries about the remaining meter bases and other sidewalk obstacles, especially in neighborhoods where tree roots, uneven pavement and narrow walkways can create additional hazards for people using walkers or mobility aids.
“Especially (because my husband) uses a walker, and the sidewalks are not even because of the trees (roots).”
“If you’re not paying attention, you run your wheel right into it. Fortunately, I have yet to fall.”
The city of San Diego has been approached for comment.
In a statement on the claim, city officials said they could not comment on the incident or on any potential litigation. The city has also said in recent months that parking meter revenue is being used to fund infrastructure work, including street and sidewalk repairs, and that it has completed a record number of sidewalk replacements and other safety-related projects across the city.
The claim comes after the San Diego City Council recently discussed the growing number of liability settlements, including major payouts involving other city departments over the past decade.