A San Francisco resident has filed a lawsuit alleging negligence and dangerous conditions on public property after suffering serious injuries from a fall. Elyse Puertas, through her attorneys at Dolan Law Firm, P.C., lodged the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, on April 28, 2025. The defendants named in the case are the San Francisco Department of Public Works and the City and County of San Francisco.
The incident that led to this legal action occurred on May 3, 2024. Puertas was walking downhill on Page Street when she tripped over an uneven section of sidewalk obscured by weeds and leaves. This area had been affected by tree roots causing the sidewalk to rise over an inch, creating a hidden hazard. As a result of her fall, Puertas sustained severe injuries to her knees, chin, face, and head. The plaintiff claims that the defendants were aware or should have been aware of this dangerous condition since it was reported via the city's 311 service request system as early as December 5, 2018. Despite acknowledging the report and accepting responsibility for repairs by October 16, 2020, no corrective actions were taken.
Puertas' lawsuit accuses the defendants of failing to fulfill their non-delegable duties to inspect and maintain public property safely. The complaint highlights several alleged statutory violations under Government Code sections including but not limited to sections 815.2, 815.4, 820, 830, and others related to public entity liability for dangerous conditions on public property. According to Puertas' legal team led by Christopher B. Dolan and Kimberly E. Levy from Dolan Law Firm P.C., these failures directly contributed to her injuries.
In seeking justice for her ordeal, Puertas requests general damages exceeding $35,000 along with special damages yet to be determined but expected to cover medical expenses incurred due to her injuries. Additionally, she seeks prejudgment interest on ascertainable economic damages under Civil Code sections §3288 and §3291 alongside other costs associated with bringing forth this suit.
The legal representation for Elyse Puertas is provided by Christopher B. Dolan and Kimberly E. Levy from Dolan Law Firm P.C., while no specific defense attorneys are mentioned in the document for the defendants which include unnamed parties referred to as DOES 1 through 20 who may also bear responsibility pending further identification during litigation proceedings.