Karen McKinney has taken legal action against a local township, claiming negligence that led to her injury. On November 13, 2024, McKinney filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County against Upper Darby Township. The lawsuit stems from an incident on June 17, 2024, where McKinney alleges she tripped and fell due to a hazardous sidewalk condition in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.
According to the complaint filed by Karen McKinney through her attorneys at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates PC, the incident occurred near the intersection of Fairfield Avenue and Garrett Road. McKinney asserts that the sidewalk was uneven and cracked, posing a significant risk to pedestrians. She claims that Upper Darby Township failed in its duty to maintain safe walking conditions for the public. "The raised, uneven and cracked part of the pavement constituted a defect," reads the complaint, highlighting how such conditions can lead to accidents like hers.
McKinney's lawsuit accuses Upper Darby Township of several lapses in their responsibility as property owners. She argues that they were negligent in maintaining the sidewalk and failed to warn pedestrians about potential dangers. The complaint lists various failures on part of the township including inadequate inspection and maintenance of the sidewalk area. Furthermore, it accuses them of not hiring competent personnel for upkeep tasks and allowing dangerous conditions to persist without warning signs or corrective measures.
The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages not exceeding $50,000 for her injuries which include serious bodily harm such as fractures and radiculopathy affecting her mobility and daily life activities. The complaint details how these injuries have caused her pain and suffering while also impacting her financial stability due to medical expenses and loss of income.
Representing Karen McKinney are attorneys Geoffrey B. Gompers and Stephen Cristal from Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates PC law firm based in Philadelphia. The case is presided over by judges at Delaware County's Court of Common Pleas under Case ID CV2024010108.