Summary
In Jones v. City of New Haven, 34 Conn. 1, the plaintiff was injured by reason of a decayed limb falling from a tree, at a time when the city, by special authority from the Legislature, had assumed control over the trees in the public square and streets of the city.
Summary of this case from Lenzen v. City of New BraunfelsOpinion
No. CV94-0364689S
March 10, 1997
MEMORANDUM OF DECISION
The plaintiff claims to have suffered serious physical injuries as the result of a fall on a city sidewalk. The fall was allegedly caused by a defect in that a square of the concrete had sunken or been depressed, and the plaintiff tripped over the now elevated edge of the next square of concrete.
The city defended on the grounds of lack of notice and the proposition that the defect was not the sole proximate cause. On this latter point, the city's street light manager, Walter Heller, testified that a nearby street light provided illumination to the area well in excess of minimum standards.
Bryan Funk, deputy director of public works for the city, testified that the city had no notice of the defect and significantly, that it could have existed for a month or a day.
The court has no difficulty in finding the condition complained of to be a defect. However, the court finds the city must prevail on its defenses. There would appear to have been sufficient lighting to enable the plaintiff to see the condition. But even if this issue were resolved in his favor, the plaintiff has failed to show actual or constructive notice to the city that the defect existed. In view of the evidence that it could have existed for a month or a day, the court cannot find the defendant had the required notice of the defect.
Judgment may enter for the defendant.
Anthony V. DeMayo Judge Trial Referee