In a gripping legal battle that underscores the importance of public safety and municipal responsibility, a San Francisco resident has taken legal action against the city following a severe skateboarding accident. On February 21, 2025, Joseph Lee Schmitt filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, accusing the City of San Francisco of negligence due to dangerous conditions on public property.
The case revolves around an incident that occurred on June 30, 2024, when Schmitt was skateboarding near 211 Sutter Street in San Francisco. He encountered an uneven and broken plate on the street surface, which caused him to fall and suffer significant injuries, including fractures to his right arm and clavicle. The complaint alleges that this hazardous condition was due to the city's failure to maintain its streets properly. According to Schmitt's attorneys from Martinian Lawyers, Inc., "the broken and dysfunctional plate constituted a dangerous condition of public property," violating California Government Code Sections 830-835.4.
Schmitt contends that the City of San Francisco had a duty to ensure the safety of its streets for all users but failed in this obligation by not repairing or maintaining the defective street plate. The complaint highlights that such negligence created foreseeable risks for skateboarders and pedestrians alike. It further claims that despite filing a government claim for damages with the city on August 9, 2024—which was subsequently denied—the city remains liable for his injuries.
The plaintiff is seeking both general and special damages from the court. General damages include compensation for pain, suffering, disability, and emotional distress suffered as a result of the accident. Special damages cover medical expenses incurred due to his injuries and potential future costs related to loss of earnings capacity and other associated losses. Additionally, Schmitt requests prejudgment interest as well as coverage for legal costs incurred during this litigation process.
Representing Joseph Lee Schmitt are attorneys Tigran Martinian and Anush Melkonyan from Martinian Lawyers, Inc., based in Los Angeles. The case is being heard under Case No.: CGC-25-622593 in front of Judge Sahar Enayat at the Superior Court of California in San Francisco County.