Pettit Kohn Obtains $1.3 Million Settlement for Cyclist Injured on San Diego City Sidewalk
Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin, PC, a southern California trial firm, obtained a $1.3 million settlement on behalf of their client in a bicycle injury case. The settlement came just before a civil trial was scheduled to begin in February 2022.
In 2018, the firm’s client was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk of Black Mountain Road near Canyonside Park. The firm’s client fell over the front of the handlebars when the bicycle hit the damaged sidewalk. His face struck a wooden post supporting a guard rail, unfortunately causing substantial head and facial injuries. The lawsuit contended that the City’s failure to maintain the sidewalk created a dangerous condition which caused the accident. The City denied liability. After more than two years of litigation, the firm was able to negotiate the $1.3 million settlement which City Council recently approved.
Pettit Kohn Shareholder Doug Pettit represented the Plaintiff and brought suit against the City of San Diego for negligence and dangerous condition of public property, citing that the portion of uneven sidewalk demonstrated visible signs of unsuccessful repairs. Mr. Pettit successfully asserted that the City had constructive notice of an unsafe condition prior to the accident occurring and failed to remediate the unsafe condition or provide notice to cyclists and pedestrians of the danger.
Douglas A. Pettit is a Shareholder in the firm’s San Diego office. He has extensive trial and litigation experience in the areas of civil litigation, business litigation, and professional liability. He has tried over 50 cases in California and his extraordinary record of favorable outcomes and exemplary client service has resulted in recognition by his peers over the years. He was inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates in 2007 and has achieved Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating of AV Preeminent for his legal ability and ethical standards. Most recently, Doug received the San Diego “Leaders in Law” honor by the San Diego Business Journal for his outstanding professional accomplishments in the legal field. In addition, he has been selected for inclusion in the San Diego Super Lawyers every year since 2007 and was listed among the Top 10 in 2015 and 2016. He has also been recognized by the Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Legal Malpractice Law (Defendants), Professional Malpractice Law (Defendants), and Commercial Litigation.
About Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin
Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin PC is a leading AV-rated, full-service trial firm with expertise in litigating and resolving civil matters in both state and federal courts. The firm represents clients in the areas of Appellate, Business Litigation, Community Association Litigation, Employment & Labor, Personal Injury, Product Liability, Professional Liability, Real Estate Litigation, Restaurant & Hospitality, Retail, Transactional & Business Services, Transportation, and Trial & Civil Litigation. Clients include large and mid-sized corporations, privately held businesses, institutions, and individuals. Pettit Kohn is located in California and Arizona with offices in San Diego, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Tucson. Learn more about the firm at www.pettitkohn.com.