A San Francisco resident has taken legal action against the City and County of San Francisco, alleging negligence and statutory liability for injuries sustained due to hazardous conditions at a public bus stop. Martha Esther Sanchez filed the complaint on July 26, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, naming the City of San Francisco and the County of San Francisco as defendants.
According to the court documents, Sanchez was walking towards a bus stop on Mission Street near its intersection with 4th Street on January 2, 2024, when she tripped over protruding bolts or rods from the ground. This incident caused her to fall and sustain severe bodily injuries. The plaintiff asserts that both the City and County were aware or should have been aware of this dangerous condition but failed to take necessary measures to rectify it. "Defendants failed to completely remove screws, bolts, and rods from the ground," states Sanchez's complaint, which she claims created an immediate hazard for pedestrians.
Sanchez initially presented claims for damages to both the City and County on April 4, 2024. However, these claims were rejected by both entities on April 22, 2024. In her lawsuit, Sanchez alleges that her injuries were a direct result of negligence by city employees who did not adequately maintain or repair the area around the bus stop. She describes suffering from numerous internal and external injuries including severe pain and anxiety.
The plaintiff is seeking economic damages for lost wages and medical expenses as well as non-economic damages for physical pain and suffering. Additionally, she is asking for pre-judgment and post-judgment interest at the maximum legal rate along with other costs incurred during litigation.
Representing Martha Esther Sanchez is attorney Joseph Nazarian from Pathway Law Firm PC. The case has been assigned Case No. CGC-24-616776.