Law on Edge: Can You Sue the City for a Broken Sidewalk?

Can you actually sue the city if a cracked sidewalk or busted roadway causes your injury? And more importantly — how do you prove the city knew about the danger? In this debut episode of Law on Edge on The AM Sidebar, California trial attorney Eric Ganci breaks down Restivo v. City of Petaluma (111 Cal. App. 5th 267), where a skateboard accident turned into a courtroom battle over government liability. You’ll learn:

• What California Government Code §835 really requires to hold a city accountable
• Why “notice” (actual or constructive) is the critical element that can make or break your case
• The difference between this case and Ortega v. Kmart, and why speculation isn’t enough
• How trial lawyers can build stronger cases against government entities

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Can you sue the city for a cracked sidewalk or busted road?

02:13 The Law in Plain English: California Gov. Code §835 explained

02:41 What Counts as a Dangerous Condition?

03:00 Case Spotlight: Restivo v. City of Petaluma

03:24 The City’s Defense “No complaints, no records"

03:43 Plaintiff’s Argument: Evidence of poor conditions, past repairs, and later repaving

04:08 Court’s Ruling - Speculation isn’t enough , no proof of city knowledge of that crack

04:56 Implications for Citizens: Why rough streets aren’t enough

05:16 The Edge / Final Insight: Speculation won’t win Law on Edge is your weekly legal edge: cutting-edge cases, sharp trial strategy, and courtroom insights in 10 minutes or less.