$1.5 Million Verdict in a Premises Liability Case Involving Unsafe Property Conditions
Holding Negligence Accountable, Even When the Odds Are Against You
When a public institution fails to fix a known safety hazard, the consequences can be life-changing.
At Golshani Lee LLP, we don’t just handle personal injury cases; we fight for people whose lives have been permanently altered by preventable negligence.
This is the story of Ray, a disabled father, a caregiver, and a man who trusted that a designated handicap area would be safe.
It wasn’t.
And what happened next led to a $1.5 million jury verdict.
A Father. A Caregiver. A Life Already Changed Once
Ray is not someone who takes his mobility for granted.
After a serious workplace injury in 2012, he was left with permanent knee damage and now walks with a cane. He became a stay-at-home father, dedicating his life to caring for his son, who has autism spectrum disorder.
Ray’s left hand and wrist were essential to him. They allowed him to support his family, manage daily tasks, and maintain independence despite his disability.
The Day Everything Changed
On June 8, 2021, Ray visited Mira Mesa High School to speak with a teacher about his son’s schedule.
The administrative parking lot was full, so he parked farther away and walked toward the designated accessible parking area. This was the path he reasonably believed was safest.
What he didn’t know:
- A handicap signpost had broken 4.5 months earlier
- It left behind a 2 to 3-inch metal stub protruding from the ground
- The hazard had been identified internally as a “safety risk.”
- The only “fix” was an orange cone, which was frequently moved or missing
That day, there was no cone.
Ray never saw the hazard.
He tripped.
He fell hard, directly onto his left wrist.
Injuries That Changed Everything Again
The fall caused devastating injuries:
- Torn scapholunate ligament
- Aggravated carpal tunnel syndrome
- Trigger finger in multiple digits
- Worsening of existing knee and back conditions
Ray underwent three surgeries.
Despite that, his condition remains severe.
Doctors have confirmed that within the next decade, he will likely require a partial wrist fusion, leaving him with up to 60% permanent loss of mobility in his dominant functional hand.
For someone already living with disability, this wasn’t just an injury. It was a profound loss of independence.
What the School District Knew and Didn’t Fix
This wasn’t a hidden danger.
It was a known hazard.
Evidence showed:
- The broken signpost remained unrepaired for 130 days
- A work order labeled “HIGH PRIORITY” had been submitted
- The custodian admitted the exposed metal was dangerous
- The cone used as a warning:
- Was moved 1 to 2 times per week
- Was sometimes completely missing
- No follow-up action was ever taken
Then something telling happened:
Less than 48 hours after Ray was injured, the signpost was repaired.
The Defense: Blame the Victim
Instead of taking responsibility, the school district argued:
- There was no dangerous condition
- The cone made the area safe
- They had no notice when the cone was missing
- Ray was 100% at fault
Their reasoning?
Because Ray is disabled, he should have been “more careful.”
Our Approach: Reframing the Truth
At Golshani Lee LLP, we understood what this case was really about:
Not just a fall, but a systemic failure to protect the most vulnerable.
We built the case around three key principles:
1. Foreseeability
The district knew the cone was not a reliable safeguard.
They knew it was moved frequently.
They knew the hazard remained exposed.
2. Responsibility
A designated handicap area demands heightened safety standards.
Ray was exactly where he was supposed to be.
3. Accountability
This wasn’t a momentary oversight. It was 130 days of inaction.
We shifted the narrative from “accident” to preventable negligence.
The Result: A $1.5 Million Verdict
After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of:
$1,500,000
A powerful outcome that reflects:
- The severity of Ray’s injuries
- The long-term impact on his life
- The district’s failure to act despite clear warning signs
Why This Case Matters to You
Cases like this are not easy.
In fact, they are among the most difficult to win.
Government entities have legal protections
They benefit from stricter standards and procedural defenses that make claims harder to prove.
Liability is often contested aggressively
Even when the facts are strong, defendants frequently deny responsibility.
Victims are often blamed
Insurance carriers and defense attorneys look for ways to shift fault. Sometimes, even onto those who are already vulnerable.
This case shows what’s possible when you engage skilled personal injury lawyers who know how to navigate these challenges.
What Sets Our Firm Apart
At Golshani Lee LLP, we focus on serious injury cases where the stakes are high.
We don’t rely on surface-level arguments.
We:
- Investigate deeply
- Build evidence strategically
- Anticipate defense tactics
- Present cases in a way juries understand and trust
Most importantly, we advocate for clients as people, not just cases.
If You’ve Been Injured, Your Case May Be Stronger Than You Think
Many clients come to us believing:
- “It was just an accident.”
- “I should have been more careful.”
- “I probably don’t have a case.”
Ray could have believed the same thing.
But the truth is:
Negligence is often hidden beneath the surface.
And without the right legal strategy, it goes unchallenged.
Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer in San Diego Today
If you or a loved one has been injured due to unsafe conditions in San Diego, especially on public or commercial property, you deserve answers.
You deserve accountability.
And you deserve a team that knows how to win difficult cases.
Contact Golshani Lee LLP Today! We provide a free consultation and personalized case evaluation, and charge no fees unless we win compensation for you.
Your story matters. Let’s make sure it’s heard.