Defendant's Attorney: Solano, California City Attorney's Office

Description: Solano, California, personal injury lawyer represented the Plaintiff who sued on a governmental tort claim slip and fall theory.

Stevenson filed her lawsuit on December 13, 2019, alleging a dangerous condition of public property. Stevenson claims she fell at the Vallejo John F. Kennedy Library on November 7, 2018. She states a library employee offered to assist her in getting up, but Stevenson quickly went on her way because she was embarrassed and she thought she could shake it off. Stevenson does not know what she slipped on, only that it was something she felt was greasy. The County filed a motion for summary judgment on November 21, 2023, on the grounds that it had no liability for Stevenson's injuries because the County had no notice of any alleged dangerous condition and there was no evidence Stevenson's injuries were caused by a dangerous condition. The notice of motion explained that the trial court had adopted a procedure for tentative rulings on motions in civil cases: the court would issue a tentative ruling the day before the hearing on the motion, which would become its order unless a party gave notice that it wished to appear and argue the matter.

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Legal issue Can a summary judgment be granted when the plaintiff fails to oppose the motion and there is no evidence showing the defendant's liability for a dangerous condition?

Key Phrases Personal injury lawsuit. Dangerous condition of public property. Motion for summary judgment. Ineffective assistance of counsel. Code of Civil Procedure section 170.6.

Outcome: Affirmed

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Defendant's Experts:

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