Legal Question in Personal Injury in Missouri

In October 2011, I was out for a run in the morning in the city. I was running on the in a commercial area (on a sidewalk that I believe is managed by the city). Throughout this neighborhood, the city has built grates into some of the squares of sidewalk concrete (on one-half of the sidewalk) and some of these grates have large trees planted in them. On the particular morning I was running, I didn't realize that the city had cut down one of the trees in these grates and left the 4-6 inch stump there (growing out of the grade in the sidewalk), but didn't put up any kind of warning or tape around this stump that was left coming out of the ground.

I didn't see the stump and my foot caught on it. I landed chin-first on the concrete and broke several teeth. I've been undergoing extensive oral surgery over the past year, and unfortunately my insurance coverage has now run out.

So, my legal question is: is the city liable for this? More specifically, would I have any chance at having my out of pocket expenses (one last tooth extraction and implant) reimbursed by the city? Less then three weeks after my accident, the city planted a new tree in this grate and put up yellow tape around it.

Thank you for any insights you can provide.


Asked on 10/26/12, 1:35 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Smith LawSmith

Baesed upon the few facts you were able to provide, it appears that you have have aclaim, if youact quickly. I suggest that you meet persoanlly with a civil practice attorney in your area, as soon as possible. There are statutes of limitation that may be ending your ability to sue, if it hasn't happened already

Good luck

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Answered on 10/31/12, 9:48 am


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