Connie Dawson has filed a civil lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, commonly known as PennDOT, for negligence following a slip and fall incident. The complaint was lodged in the Court of Common Pleas in Delaware County on April 29, 2025. Dawson claims that PennDOT's failure to maintain safe street conditions led to her accident and subsequent injuries.
The case revolves around an incident that occurred on March 4, 2024, at approximately 6:45 p.m., when Connie Dawson was walking at the intersection of S. Swarthmore Avenue and Chester Pike (Route 420) in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. According to the complaint, Dawson encountered a large pothole that caused her to slip and fall. The document asserts that this dangerous condition posed a foreseeable risk to pedestrians and alleges that PennDOT had actual or constructive notice of the hazard but failed to address it in a timely manner.
Dawson's attorney, Christopher S. Froba from the Law Office of Marc R. Gordon, P.C., argues that PennDOT's negligence resulted in serious injuries to his client. "As a result of the aforesaid accident," the complaint states, "Plaintiff has sustained serious, painful and permanent injuries," including damage to her neck, chest, back, and right ankle. Additionally, Dawson claims she has suffered pain, discomfort, loss of enjoyment of life’s pleasures, and an inability to perform daily activities due to the accident.
The lawsuit accuses PennDOT of several acts of negligence including failing to inspect and remedy the hazardous condition on the street; neglecting to warn pedestrians about the danger; not taking necessary measures to protect pedestrians from foreseeable risks; improperly maintaining pedestrian pathways; and allowing a known dangerous condition to persist without correction for an unreasonable period.
In seeking justice for these alleged oversights by PennDOT, Dawson is requesting judgment not exceeding $50,000 for arbitration hearing purposes only. This amount aims to cover medical expenses incurred as she sought treatment for her injuries as well as compensation for lost earnings and diminished earning capacity resulting from her inability to work post-accident.
The legal proceedings are being overseen by Christopher S. Froba who serves as Connie Dawson's attorney. The case ID is: CV2025003981.