- April 20, 2024
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Dennis McDonald, a former candidate for Palm Coast Mayor and for the Flagler County Commission, has filed a “notice of personal injury claim” against the city of Palm Coast, alleging that he fell on a city sidewalk and is entitled to $120,000 in compensation.
The Feb. 20, 2018, notice was sent to the city by McDonald’s attorney, Jim Manfre, former sheriff of Flagler County. McDonald had previously sued the city in 2015 for another sidewalk fall and settled for $9,000.
At about 8 a.m. on Dec. 16, 2107, “while walking on a sidewalk at the Palm Harbor Golf Course, Mr. McDonald was caused to fall on his side due to a one-inch depression in the sidewalk,” the notice states. “As a result of the fall, he suffered a fracture of his hip. He was transported to Florida Hospital Flagler, where he underwent surgery.”
The surgery involved a full hip replacement, and McDonald now walks “with a slight limp,” the notice states.
The notice states that McDonald is entitled to $120,000 in compensation “due to the pain and suffering he incurred and the permanent hip replacement that was required,” and concludes, “I look forward to negotiations to settle this claim prior to the 180-day time period to file an action with the Circuit Court.”
The city can’t speak to the specific claim, said city spokeswoman Cindi Lane. But, she said, “Palm Coast is committed to having safe facilities and infrastructure. We have a sidewalk maintenance program and also a comprehensive maintenance program for our parks and other amenities including the golf course. Anytime a citizen raises a concern about any repair that’s needed at a city facility, we respond and correct the problem right away.”
The city forwards any trip and fall claims to its insurer – the Florida League of Cities — which handles such cases, she said.
