HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.4 Dublin Sports Park Claim r
(9:qt of DtiBiT
AGENDA STATEMENT
Meeting Date: December 27, 1982
SUBJECT : Claim of Jack Pearson on behalf of Christopher Pearson
EXHIBITS ATTACHED : Claim dated December 8, 1982
RECOMMENDATION : Deny claim and notify claimant bfr
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION : Jack Pearson on behalf of his son Christopher Pearson has filed
a claim against the Dublin San Ramon Services District, Contra
Costa County and City of Dublin for alleged injuries which
occurred at the Dublin Sports Grounds. The total amount claimed
is $500,000.
It is Staff's recommendation that the claim be denied and the
claimant notified of the City's action.
7
COPIES TO: Ben Fernandez
/ Mike Nave
ITEM NO. �• 7' Jack Pearson c/o Richard
Blumberg
0
MADWAY BLUMBERG BISHOP & SMITH
Gideon Anders LAW OFFICES Washington Counsel
Catherine M. Bishop 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 300 Roisman,Reno&Cavanaugh
Richard E. Blumberg Berkeley, CA 94704 1016- 16th St.,NW
,
David B. Bryson Suite 800
James R. Grow (415) 548-9400 Washington,DC 20036
David M.Madway (202)659-0050
Daniel D.Pearlman Gordon Cavanaugh
Michael G. Smith Admtned only in Pa.
.Frances E. Werner Lee P.Reno
Admitted only in D.C.
Of Counsel: December 8, 1982 AFlortetnedconWag Dtaan Roisman
Arnold C. Sternberg
Admitted only to D.C.
Property Management Specialist: RECEIVED
Margaret Weitkamp
Non.anornec
DEC 131982
Mrs . Roberta Jessing CITY OF DUBLIN
Assistant General Manager
Dublin/San Ramon Service District
7051 Dublin Blvd.
Dublin, CA 94568
Dear Mrs. Jessing:
Pursuant to the California Government Code, this letter
is intended to provide mandatory notice to you of an injury
which occurred on Dublin/San Ramon Service District property.
You are hereby notified of an outstanding claim against
the cities of Dublin/San Ramon and the Service District, and
Contra Costa County lodged by Christopher Pearson, a minor
17 years of age, by Jack Pearson, his father and next of kin
and guardian ad litem. The Pearsons reside at 1175 Cottinger Drive,
Pleasanton, CA 94566 . However , for the purpose of all future
notices and communications, please forward same to me, their
attorney, at the above address .
The accident which is the subject matter of this claim
took pace on September 19 , 1982 at approximately 1:45 p.m. at
soccer field #3, in the Dublin Sports Park. The nature of the
1 accident is as follows: Christopher Pearson was engaged in the
play of a soccer game sponsored by the Ballistic United Soccer
League of the Livermore Valley. During the course of the game,
while playing his 'position as a forward, Christopher stepped into
and tripped over a sprinkler hole on the playing field and fell
to the ground. He was carried from the field by his teammates
and remained out of the game. The sprinkler hole was dangerously
deep and the sprinkler head dangerously high above the ground,
thereby combining to create a dangerous condition on the soccer
playing field. Additionally, the responsible cities, county
•
0 0
Mrs . Roberta Jessing
December 8, 1982
Page Two
and/or district failed to provide adequate supervision of the
playing field.
As a direct result of the negligent maintenance, operation,
and installation of the sprinkler and sprinkler hole, and due to
the failure to provide adequate supervision, Christopher Pearson
suffered severe injury (palsy) to the common peroneal of the left
leg and damage to the protective layering and some severing of
nerve fibers which has rendered him unable to lift , lower, or
position his foot or leg. Every muscle below his knee which is
controlled by the peroneal is affected. He has lost feeling from
his foot to approximately his knee, and is presently wearing a
leg brace which is necessary for walking and all other normal leg
and foot movements . Christopher has been treated and is under-
going continuing treatment at Kaiser Hospital and with Dr. Cohen
of Livermore for this condition. At the present time , the doctors
predict a one-year to three-year recovery period during which time
they hope to use physiotherapy to train other muscles in the leg
to perform the normal operations now rendered impossible by the
peroneal damage. The most hopeful prediction is for 8070 recovered
use o4 the leg; other predictions from competent medical sources
are far less hopeful. It should be noted that Christopher, who
has recently received a scholarship offer for soccer from Brown
University, will never again play competitive soccer. In fact , his
ability to partake in any serious athletic activity is apparently
permanently impaired.
Based on the severity of Mr. Pearson' s personal injury, the
distinct probability that he will suffer permanent injury and will
never fully recover normal use of his leg, his inability to play,
and, further, for the purpose of compliance with statutory require-
; ments DEMAND IS HEREBY MADE upon the governmental entities listed
above for payment to Christopher Pearson in the amount of $500 ,000.
The specific names and offices of the city/district/county
employees directly responsible for the maintenance, operation,
installation, and provision of the sprinkler system, and for
supervision of the field and all activities sanctioned for its
use is unknown at this time but can be easily ascertained by the
city/district/county and the Pearsons upon discovery. Further
details will be provided when known.
0 :041700
Mrs . Roberta Jessing
December 8, 1982
Page Three
I will appreciate your contacting me at your earliest
convenience to acknowledge receipt of this claim and, if
applicable, to provide me with notice of the type and amount of
insurance that you have in effect, the name and address of the
carrier a adjustor
torthem so thatayoustatement
maybe protec have
tedunder
reported this this c
your policy coverage.
I will appreciate all future communication in this matter to
be directed to me at the above office.
Very truly yours ,
/22Lc /L
Richard E. Blumberg
REB:mr
cc: Christopher Pearson
Jack Pearson