Joliet Sued By Woman Injured On Broken City Of Joliet Sidewalk Near West Side Intersection

JOLIET, IL — The issue of Joliet's crumbling and broken public sidewalks is often a topic of conversation during Joliet City Council meetings. This week, Joliet resident Gina Dyar has filed a lawsuit against the city of Joliet alleging negligence by the city resulted in her being injured when she tripped and fell to the ground while out walking on the west side.

Dyar is being represented by attorney Bryan J. O'Connor of Whiteside & Goldberg, located in Chicago along North Michigan Avenue.

The sidewalk in question is near the intersection of Springfield Avenue and Glenwood Avenue and on Feb. 28, 2023, the city of Joliet owned, controlled and maintained the sidewalk, which was open to the public, Dyar's lawsuit reads.

According to her lawsuit, Dyar was lawfully on the sidewalk, and she was using the sidewalk in an ordinary and foreseeable manner. As for Joliet, the city had a duty to maintain the sidewalk in a reasonably safe condition.

"On and prior to February 28, 2023, city was negligent and the sidewalk was not reasonably safe because of at least one of the following: there was holes, depressions and or separations," Dyar's lawsuit asserts. "The deterioration of sidewalk caused an unsafe elevation/crest. Failed to timely and or properly repair the sidewalk. Failed to properly inspect the sidewalk. Failed to maintain property, the sidewalk, in a reasonably safe condition."

As a result of Joliet's negligence and violations of hazards, the plaintiff's lawyers at Whiteside & Goldberg asserted, Dyar fell on the sidewalk and sustained serious and permanent injuries and incurred economic and non-economic damages and losses. "Indeed, based on the appearance and nature of the defect, including the depth and contours of the defect, it existed for sufficient time prior to February 28, 2023 such that city had adequate time prior ... to take measures to remedy or protect against such hazards.," Dyar's lawsuit outlined.

The lawsuit ends by informing Will County's judges that Dyar requests a judgment in her favor and against the city of Joliet in an amount exceeding $50,000, plus recoverable litigation trial costs and expenses, plus pre-judgment interest.

Incidentally, on Jan. 22, Joliet Patch produced another exclusive story from the Will County Courthouse revealing that a Joliet law firm has filed a different negligence lawsuit against the city of Joliet, alleging that their client, Jarell Doss, crashed into a large hole in the roadway while riding his bicycle last Aug. 31 in the 1400 block of North Center Street near the intersection of Russell Street.