This was a premises liability case involving a dangerous condition at a Palm Springs resort property. The incident occurred on a decorative, arched pedestrian bridge designed in a Japanese garden style, which featured raised ornamental nails that created a tripping hazard. The plaintiff caught her toe on one of these raised features while walking across the bridge to dinner and sustained significant injuries requiring low back surgery. Liability was heavily disputed, with substantial risk that a jury could attribute fault to the plaintiff. Despite these challenges, the case was aggressively litigated, including key depositions that established the plaintiff was acting reasonably and not engaging in any unsafe conduct.
There was no evidence of impairment or misconduct, and no surveillance footage contradicting her account. The case ultimately resolved for $250,000. This matter highlights the importance of pursuing premises liability claims even where liability is contested, particularly when property owners fail to maintain safe pedestrian walkways.