Barbara Caraska has filed a negligence and premises liability complaint against the County of Sacramento and several construction entities. The complaint was lodged on May 30, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento. Caraska alleges that negligent sidewalk maintenance led to her sustaining serious injuries.
According to the court documents, Caraska presented her claims to the County of Sacramento on November 27, 2023, following an incident on October 18, 2023. On that date, she was taking out her trash when she stepped into a substantial gap hidden by fallen leaves between newly poured concrete and grass in front of her residence on Watt Avenue. This gap allegedly caused her to suffer significant physical injuries. The County rejected her claim entirely on December 13, 2023.
Caraska's lawsuit names multiple defendants including the County of Sacramento; Sacramento County Water Agency; A. Teichert & Son Inc., doing business as Teichert Construction Inc.; Pavement Coatings Co.; ABSL Construction; Sierra Traffic Markings Inc.; Tyrrell Resources Inc.; and twenty unnamed defendants (Does 1 through 20). She asserts that these entities were responsible for removing sections of sidewalk and repouring concrete in a manner that created hazardous conditions. "The substantial gap hidden by fallen leaves between the repoured cement and grass where there was no substantial gap before created a dangerous condition," states Caraska in her complaint.
The plaintiff argues that all named defendants had a duty to maintain safe premises but failed to do so, resulting in her injuries. She accuses them of negligence for not properly managing or maintaining the sidewalk area and for failing to remedy the dangerous condition despite having actual or constructive notice of it. The lawsuit also includes allegations under Government Code Sections 830 and 835 against public entities for creating and failing to address dangerous conditions on public property.
Caraska is seeking general damages exceeding $35,000 along with compensation for medical expenses, loss of earnings, property damage, and prejudgment interest as per Civil Code section 3291. Her legal representation is being handled by Joseph A. Welch from the Law Offices of Joseph A. Welch.
The case has been assigned Case No.: 2A WOO SB in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento.