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Board approves $120,000 settlement for man injured on elevated sidewalk; law department says sidewalk repaired
Summary
The Board of Estimates approved a $120,000 settlement to resolve claims by Steven Frank, who tripped on an elevated sidewalk the law department said was caused by tree roots. The law department noted the sidewalk has been repaired and said claims inform coordination on hazard mitigation.
The Board of Estimates approved a $120,000 settlement on Aug. 20 to resolve a claim by Steven Frank arising from an August 2021 fall on an elevated sidewalk in the 800 block of East Lombard Street.
Matthew Bradford of the law department said Frank suffered head, back and spine injuries, underwent two surgeries and required a wheelchair; the law department recommended the settlement in light of the injuries and litigation risk. “Given the nature of mister Frank's injuries and the risk of an adverse verdict, the law department recommends approval of a settlement in the amount of a $120,000,” Bradford said. The clerk told the board the sidewalk has since been repaired.
Board members connected the claim to the earlier discussion about tree maintenance and asked whether incident findings inform cross‑agency prioritization of tree and sidewalk hazards. The deputy city solicitor said the law department shares claims information with operating agencies and noted a related ADA initiative requiring vegetation removal and clearance work as part of pedestrian rights‑of‑way improvements.
The board approved the settlement by voice vote.
