Los Angeles Jury Awards $1.575 Million To Woman Injured by Sidewalk Utility Box 

ACTS partner Boris Treyzon along with attorney Evan Koncan, secured a $1.575 million verdict for a woman who suffered injuries after stepping onto a sidewalk meter utility box. As she stepped on it, the lid of the utility box unexpectedly popped open, causing her to fall into the box, resulting in severe injuries to her neck, lower back, and legs. Notably, the City of Inglewood controlled and regularly inspected the meter utility box. The incident caused both physical pain and mental anguish for the woman.

According to the complaint, on May 30^th, 2018, Ms. Rosanne Germeille was walking at the intersection of Kelso Street and Myrtle Avenue in the City of Inglewood, CA. The dangerous condition created by a concrete pull box cover designed, built, and maintained by the City of Inglewood caused Ms. Germeille to fall, ultimately leading to severe injuries. 

Ms. Germeille’s injuries, as stated in the complaint, were a direct result of the dangerous condition, recklessness and carelessness of the City of Inglewood. Injuries sustained by Ms. Germeille affected her health, strength, and activity negatively in numerous ways, mentally and physically. 

The complaint further states that multiple physicians and surgeons were needed for medical examinations, treatments, and care for the injuries Ms. Germeille suffered. The cost of her treatments and procedures was exorbitant and will likely continue into the future.  

“It’s unfortunate that due to the City of Inglewood’s carelessness, Ms. Germeille’s life has been changed for the worse,” said ACTS LAW attorney Evan Koncan. “City of Inglewood had at least 7 opportunities to fix this meter box before Ms. Germeille’s incident, but simply ignored it. “No other pedestrian walking on a sidewalk such as Ms. Germeille could have ever anticipated a meter box lid to suddenly and unexpectedly pop open as it did here.” 

On July 5^th, 2018, Ms. Germeille presented the City of Inglewood with a claim for injuries, disability, losses, and damages incurred due to her trip and fall. The claim followed the requirements of Government Code Section 905, yet the City of Inglewood denied the claim on August 22, 2018. 

This case is Rosanne Germeille v. City of Inglewood, Case No. 19STCV05275, Superior Court of the State of California County of Los Angeles, Central District.

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