Philly School District faces premises liability suit

A city woman who allegedly injured herself outside of a school district-owned building is suing the City of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia in civil court.

Attorney Scott E. Diamond, of the city firm Clearfield, Kofsky & Penneys, filed the slip-and-fall lawsuit July 5 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Nancy O’Connell of Northeast Philadelphia.

In addition to the city and school district, the third defendant named is Penn Crisp Inc., which operates Penn Crisp Gym at 9151 Academy Road, a school district facility.

According to the complaint, O’Connell was a pedestrian outside of the gym when she fell due to an alleged elevated pavement.

The lawsuit accuses the defendants of negligence and carelessness for allowing a dangerous condition to exist, disregarding the rights and safety of the plaintiff and failing to repair and/or resurface the sidewalk in question.

As a result of her fall, O’Connell sustained various physical injuries, such as a dislocated left elbow, which necessitated surgical intervention, left hand and left knee sprain and strain, multiple bruises and lacerations and other injuries that have caused her great pain and suffering, the lawsuit states.

The plaintiff has incurred various financial expenses to treat her injuries, and she has experienced mental anguish and humiliation as a result of her fall, the suit states.

O’Connell demands judgment against the defendants jointly and/or severally in amount in excess of the arbitration limits, plus interest and related costs.

A jury trial has been demanded.

The case number is 110700095.