Broken Bones

The experienced premises liability attorneys at Davis Law Group recovered a $775,000 settlement on behalf of a 68-year-old man who suffered a serious spinal fracture after tripping over exposed rebar on a Seattle street.

Details of the Dangerous Fall

On November 12, 2024, at approximately 5:00 a.m., our client (T.W.) was walking to work after parking his vehicle in a floating parking lane on Broadway Street in Seattle. As he walked toward the market where he worked, he tripped over an exposed, bent piece of rebar protruding from the pavement.

The dangerous condition was created after wheel stops were installed as part of the City of Seattle’s “Even Better Bike Lanes” project. One of the wheel stops had been displaced, leaving the anchor rebar exposed in the pedestrian area. The rebar was difficult to see in the early-morning darkness and blended into the pavement. No warning signs, cones, barriers, or other notices marked the hazard.

T.W. fell hard onto the pavement and was unable to move because of the intense pain. Emergency responders transported him to Harborview Medical Center, where imaging revealed an unstable fracture in his lower spine. He underwent spinal surgery the following day and remained hospitalized for nearly a week.

Impact on Work and Daily Life

Before the accident, our client lived independently and worked full-time as a retail merchandiser. He was active and able to perform the physically demanding work his job required. After the accident, he experienced daily back pain and had difficulty bending, reaching, lifting, and sleeping comfortably. Tasks that were routine before the fall became significantly more difficult.

He was unable to work for approximately two months following the fall, then returned to light-duty work before eventually transitioning to modified full-time employment.

Demonstrating the City’s Negligence

Throughout the litigation, Attorney David Reeve argued that the City of Seattle was responsible for failing to correct the dangerous condition that caused T.W. to fall. Our team demonstrated that the exposed rebar presented a foreseeable risk of injury to pedestrians and should have been identified and removed long before the accident.

Davis Law Group also retained a certified forensic safety expert, who concluded that the exposed, bent, and unmarked rebar created an unreasonably dangerous condition and that the City had failed to inspect and adequately maintain it.

Evidence further showed that the exposed rebar had been present at the location for months before our client’s fall. Google Street View imagery from September 2024 documented the exposed rebar roughly two months before the incident, reinforcing our position that the dangerous condition should have been discovered and corrected.

Settlement Recovery

After nearly two years of litigation, the case resolved in August 2026 with a $775,000 settlement for our client.

While no amount of money can undo the pain and limitations caused by such a serious spinal injury, the settlement provides T.W. with financial security as he continues to manage the lasting effects of his injuries.

Injured by a Dangerous Condition in Washington?

If you or a loved one was injured because of an unsafe or poorly maintained property, the premises liability attorneys at Davis Law Group can help. Complete our confidential online form or call 206-727-4000 for a free case evaluation.