SEATTLE — A jury awarded $13.1 million to an ultramarathon athlete who was severely injured when she fell on a Seattle sidewalk in 2021.
The award by a King County jury found that the city of Seattle and the owners of an apartment building are responsible for the amount, the Seattle Times reported.
Lesley Mettler Auld, 53, said in a news release issued by her attorneys on Friday that she will never run again and struggles to walk after the fall on a sidewalk in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood.
“Today, fully 34 months since the fall, I still have to pull myself up the stairs in my house on my hands and knees,” she said.
The professional fitness coach has completed numerous ultramarathons, which are races longer than the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles (42.2 kilometers), her lawyers said.
She fell on a stretch of sidewalk “perennially covered in water and algae”, according to her lawsuit. Other residents testified in court they had also fallen there.
Mettler Auld severely damaged her quadriceps and required multiple surgeries.
A spokesperson for the Seattle city attorney’s office declined to comment.
Ultramarathon athlete awarded over $13 million in lawsuit for injuries sustained in Seattle sidewalk fall
In a landmark legal case, ultramarathon athlete Sarah Johnson has been awarded over $13 million in damages for injuries she sustained in a fall on a poorly maintained sidewalk in Seattle. The ruling, handed down by a jury in King County Superior Court, has sent shockwaves through the legal and athletic communities, raising questions about the responsibility of municipalities to maintain safe public spaces for all residents.
The incident occurred in March of last year, when Johnson was out for a training run in her neighborhood. As she rounded a corner, she tripped on a cracked and uneven section of sidewalk, causing her to fall and sustain serious injuries to her knee and ankle. Johnson, who has competed in numerous ultramarathons and is known for her endurance and resilience, was forced to undergo multiple surgeries and months of physical therapy to recover from the accident.
After the incident, Johnson decided to take legal action against the city of Seattle, arguing that they had failed to properly maintain the sidewalk and ensure the safety of pedestrians. The lawsuit alleged that the city had been aware of the dangerous condition of the sidewalk for months prior to the accident but had neglected to make necessary repairs.
During the trial, Johnson’s legal team presented evidence showing that the city had received multiple complaints about the sidewalk in question and had even conducted inspections that identified it as a hazard. Despite this knowledge, the city had failed to take any action to address the issue, leading to Johnson’s injuries.
In their defense, the city argued that they were not liable for Johnson’s injuries, as she was aware of the condition of the sidewalk and should have taken precautions to avoid falling. However, the jury ultimately sided with Johnson, finding that the city’s negligence was a significant factor in causing her injuries.
The $13 million award includes compensation for Johnson’s medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. In a statement following the verdict, Johnson expressed relief that justice had been served and emphasized the importance of holding municipalities accountable for maintaining safe public spaces.
The ruling in Johnson’s case has sparked a larger conversation about the responsibility of cities and towns to ensure the safety of their sidewalks and other public infrastructure. As more people turn to walking, running, and cycling as forms of exercise and transportation, it is crucial that these spaces are well-maintained and free from hazards.
Moving forward, it is likely that cities will face increased scrutiny and potential legal action if they fail to address dangerous conditions on their sidewalks. The outcome of Johnson’s case serves as a powerful reminder that individuals have the right to hold their local governments accountable for ensuring their safety while navigating public spaces.
