A tragic accident at a municipal golf course has led to a lawsuit against the City and County of San Francisco. On September 5, 2024, Jose Fuentes Rodriguez filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, alleging that the city’s negligence resulted in his severe injuries.
The incident occurred on September 5, 2023, when Rodriguez was riding a motorized scooter on the Lincoln Park Municipal Golf Course. According to the complaint, an unseen tripwire strung across the pathway caused Rodriguez to fall off his scooter, leading to serious injuries. The lawsuit claims that the City and County of San Francisco owned, operated, and maintained the property where the accident took place. Rodriguez's attorneys argue that the city failed to ensure the safety of users by allowing such a dangerous condition to exist.
Rodriguez’s legal team contends that city employees carelessly constructed and installed the tripwire without adequate warning signs or safety measures. The complaint alleges multiple failures on part of the city: "Carelessly and unreasonably constructed...a tripwire to temporarily block or cordon off an area," exposing foreseeable users like Rodriguez to unreasonable risks. Furthermore, it accuses city employees of not following established guidelines for setting up temporary barriers and failing to hire qualified personnel for such tasks.
The plaintiff is seeking several forms of relief from the court. These include economic damages for medical expenses and lost wages, non-economic damages for pain and suffering, special and incidental damages according to proof at trial, as well as reimbursement for legal costs incurred during litigation. Rodriguez has also demanded a jury trial.
Representing Jose Fuentes Rodriguez are attorneys Joshua J.K. Henderson and Joshua S. Markowitz from Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz LLP. The case is being overseen by Judge Sahar Enayati under Case ID CGC-24-617883.