Former San Diego Mayor Sues City Over Wife’s Sidewalk Trip-and-Fall

Former San Diego Mayor Roger Hedgecock and his wife are suing the city over a 2015 fall she took on a damaged sidewalk, which caused her silicone breast implants to rupture. According to a news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, the fall and the implants’ rupture led her to have replacement surgery. The lawsuit does not request a specific amount in damages, but states that they suffered losses well in excess of $25,000 as a result of the incident.

Serious Personal Injuries Reported

Court documents state the city acted negligently by not repairing a 2.5-inch lip in a public sidewalk caused by a tree. The case is expected to go to trial later this year. These types of cases are typically settled out of court. The lawsuit states that Cynthia Hedgecock suffered serious personal injuries when she tripped over the raised portion of sidewalk and took a violent fall.

The incident reportedly occurred July 31, 2015. Two weeks later, she went to a local medical clinic with breast deformities and chest pain. That’s when she discovered that both of her silicone breast implants had ruptured and were leaking into her bloodstream. She had to have them removed and replaced in what turned out to be a “grueling procedure,” the lawsuit states.

If You Have Been Injured

If you have suffered injuries as the result of a trip-and-fall accident, there are a number of steps you would be well advised to take in order to preserve your rights. First and foremost, report the incident. If you have tripped and fallen on a defective sidewalk, report the incident to the city detailing what happened to you and get a copy of the report for your records. Take photographs of the scene immediately before any repairs are made so you have proof of what caused your fall. Put a time and date stamp on the photos. Get prompt medical attention, treatment and care for your injuries.

Contact an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer who is experienced in handling slip-and-fall, trip-and-fall and other premises liability cases. When the defendant is a governmental agency, you need to file a claim, which is a precursor to a lawsuit. Such personal injury claims against governmental entities must be filed within 180 days of the injury. An experienced lawyer will be able to guide you through what could be a complex process and help you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.