City officials in San Diego are being cautious about parking meters after an elderly man recently fell from an exposed meter base, leading him to file a significant lawsuit against the city.
On Tuesday, workers covered up the exposed area of the parking meter base, as reported by NBC 7.
The incident occurred on May 11, when a 70-year-old man reportedly tripped on the meter’s base and fell off the sidewalk, resulting in severe injuries. Surveillance footage captured him nearing a parked car within a 30-minute limit.
He accidentally stepped on the base of a meter that had been taken out over a year prior, causing him to fall headfirst onto the sidewalk and be hit by a car. This resulted in broken bones in his neck and back.
The man has lodged a $35 million claim against the city, which could potentially escalate into a lawsuit if no action follows.
His attorney, William Berman, indicated that the mishap occurred as the man and his wife were leaving a nearby sushi restaurant at Washington Street and Albatross Drive. Berman emphasized that although the parking meters were removed, the raised bases and protruding bolts remained, posing a dangerous threat. He also mentioned that similar conditions could be found in other areas of the city.
“These bases stick out about one to two inches above the sidewalk. The city needs to address this and remove them,” Berman stated.
The lawyer highlighted that the man now requires constant medical care at home following his hospitalization.
Local residents have voiced concerns about uneven sidewalks being hazardous, especially for older adults.
Last week, city officials discussed the rising number of liability settlements, with claims involving the San Diego Police Department reportedly exceeding $100 million.
