Man, 70, files $35 million lawsuit against city after tripping on sidewalk – video footage reveals what happened

The 70-year-old suffered a broken neck and back after tripping in the Mission Hills neighborhood on May 11. According to his attorney, William M. Berman, the fall has left the man requiring around-the-clock medical care as he continues recovering at home.

Berman claims his client and his wife were walking back to their car after eating at a local sushi restaurant when the incident happened, according to NBC San Diego.

Security footage from a nearby animal clinic captured the moment. The man, who has not been publicly identified, can be seen using a walking aid as he heads toward his vehicle before catching his foot on the exposed base of a parking meter.

Although the parking meter itself was reportedly removed last year, its metal base remained sticking out of the sidewalk. After stumbling, the man fell facefirst into his car, suffering the severe injuries.

“They protrude about an inch to two inches from the sidewalk. The city needs to make sure they’re taking out these bases from the sidewalks,” Berman said, according to UNILAD.

Files $35 million lawsuit

The attorney has now filed a claim seeking $35,000,000 in damages, arguing the city left the parking meter base in “a dangerous condition.”

Berman also alleges that similar exposed parking meter bases can be found in other San Diego neighborhoods.