A California man has filed a lawsuit after suffering severe injuries from a zipline accident at a rental property. Howard Hong filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, on July 30, 2024, against Hipcamp and individuals Carrie Maxwell and Brady Beltezore.
According to the complaint, Howard Hong was severely injured on August 21, 2022, when he fell off a negligently installed zipline at a property rented through Hipcamp. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, including a fractured back. Hong alleges that the defendants were aware of the dangerous condition but failed to take necessary precautions or provide adequate warnings. "The TROLLEY suddenly began to accelerate... ultimately causing Plaintiff to propel backwards off of the TROLLEY with extreme and unforeseeable force," states the complaint.
Hong claims that both Hipcamp and the individual defendants were negligent in maintaining the property and its amenities. The lawsuit details how Hong relied on Hipcamp's reputation for selecting safe properties when he booked his stay from August 21 to August 23, 2022. However, during his stay, he encountered an improperly maintained zipline that led to his injuries. The suit alleges that there were no visible signs or warnings indicating that using the zipline could be hazardous.
The plaintiff is seeking general damages for pain and suffering, compensation for medical expenses incurred due to the accident, loss of future earnings due to his inability to work during recovery, and other related costs. He also demands a jury trial for all claims presented in this lawsuit.
Representing Howard Hong is attorney David J. Koppelman from The Koppelman Law Firm. The case is being overseen by judges at the Superior Court of California under Case No. CGC-24-616887.