Civic association and others hit with suit over sidewalk mishap

A Philadelphia resident is suing a property owner, a construction materials company and a nonprofit neighborhood association for injuries he suffered after he tripped and fell outdoors.

The premises liability suit was filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas May 10 by attorney Dean Orloff, of the firm Howard A. Taylor LLC, on behalf of Philadelphian Andre Johnson.

The lawsuit names as defendants Domus Inc., the Norris Square Civic Association and Federal Rent-A-Fence Inc.

According to the complaint, Johnson was walking along the 2300 block of Howard Street in mid-May 2009, when he was “injured as the result of the defective condition of the said premises, which was caused by the negligence, recklessness and/or carelessness of the defendants.”

The suit says the civic association and Domus Inc. were the owners and/or operators of the sidewalk in the area where the incident took place. Federal Rent-A-Fence, it states, was the owner and operator of the fencing located at the site of the incident.

As a result of his fall, Johnson sustained severe and permanent injuries including cervical sprain and strain, shoulder and knee injuries, toe and foot injuries, abrasions and contusions, the complaint states. The injuries have rendered Johnson somewhat disabled and have caused him to undergo “great mental anguish and physical pain.”

The suits claims that the plaintiff has been, and may in the future be required to spend vast sums of money on medical treatment.

The lawsuit blames those in charge of maintaining the property with failing to ensure the public’s safety. The negligence and carelessness on the part of the defendants, the suit states, was what led to Johnson’s injuries.

The lawsuit does not specify what exactly it was Johnson tripped and/or fell on.

Johnson is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus interest and other costs related to his case.

The non-jury matter is scheduled for an arbitration hearing on Jan. 11, 2012.

The case number is 110501183.