City of Philadelphia named in slip-and-fall lawsuit

A man who claims he sustained injuries after falling into a hole on a stretch of city sidewalk is suing the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Gas Works.

Philadelphia attorney Adam E. Grutzmacher, of the firm Clearfield, Kofsky & Penneys, filed the premises liability lawsuit July 5 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Everett Goodwin.

In addition to the city and PGW, named as co-defendants are Anthony Igwe and Vanessa Coker.

According to the civil complaint, Goodwin was walking along the sidewalk at 5340 Hedge St. when he suddenly fell into the hole in front of the building where he lives.

The fall caused Goodwin to sustain various injuries, including, but not limited to, nerve damage, lumbar and cervical sprain and strain, left shoulder, wrist and hand sprain and strain, multiple lacerations and permanent scarring, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit accuses the defendants of carelessness and negligence for allowing a dangerous and defective condition to exist along a public thoroughfare and for not taking the necessary steps to warn pedestrians of the hazardous condition.

The lawsuit states that Goodwin has had to undergo medical attention to correct his injuries, something that has caused him to expend various sums of money.

As a result of the accident, Goodwin has also experienced a loss of earnings and impairment of earning power and capacity, the suit states.

Furthermore, Goodwin has suffered physical pain, mental anguish and humiliation as a result of the fall, the suit states.

Goodwin demands judgment against the defendants, jointly and severally, in an amount not in excess of the arbitration limits, which is $50,000, plus interest and related court costs.

The non-jury matter is scheduled for a March 7, 2012 arbitration hearing.

The case number is 110700092.