Facts

On March 1, 2010, plaintiff Zhanna Plotkina, 71, was walking southbound on Noble Street towards Valley Vista Boulevard in Torrance when she tripped and fell over a crack in the pavement.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff alleged that defendant homeowner Charlene O'Brien and defendant City of Los Angeles jointly and severally were liable for plaintiff's injuries because they failed to remediate the broken sidewalk that resulted from roots from a tree on O'Brien's property.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Both defendants denied liability and disputed that nature and extent of plaintiff's injuries. Defendants claimed that the cracked sidewalk was a trivial defect and that it was an open and obvious condition.

Specials in Evidence

$95,710 ($20,000 Howell Medicals) none

Injuries

Plaintiff sustained severe fractures and dislocation in her right wrist and a broken left elbow.

Result

The case settled at mediation for $185,000 before Janet Rubin, Esq.