Seattle, WA — In a significant legal decision, a King County jury has awarded $13.1 million in damages to a former ultramarathon runner who suffered a severe injury from a fall on a Seattle sidewalk back in 2021. This landmark case highlights the responsibilities of city management and property owners in maintaining public passageways.
Lesley Mettler Auld, a 53-year-old professional fitness coach and seasoned ultramarathon athlete, encountered a life-changing moment when she fell on an algae-covered patch of sidewalk in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. The accident has left her with enduring physical challenges that have radically altered her lifestyle and mobility.
In detailed testimony, Mettler Auld described her current physical struggles and significant decline in quality of life since the accident. “Even 34 months after the fall, ascending stairs at my home necessitates that I crawl on my hands and knees,” she recounted, illustrating the extent of her debilitating injuries.
Her long career as an ultramarathon runner, characterized by participating in races exceeding the conventional marathon length of 26.2 miles, was starkly cut short. Following her accident, Mettler Auld underwent multiple surgeries to address severe damage to her quadriceps, yet she still faces a fraught recovery and the permanent cessation of her running career.
The legal case turned significantly on the testimony from community members who also reported frequent troubles with the same stretch of sidewalk. This collective evidence played a crucial role in establishing a pattern of negligence that contributed to the hazardous condition of the walking surface.
The verdict implicates both the City of Seattle and the owners of a nearby apartment building, assigning them collective responsibility for the maintenance of the sidewalk. Despite the outcome, the city’s attorney’s office declined to comment on the jury’s decision.
The case not only underscores the critical need for regular maintenance of public infrastructure but also raises questions about urban responsibility and the wellbeing of city dwellers. As cities like Seattle continue to develop and densify, the verdict serves as a poignant reminder of the essential need for vigilant urban planning and maintenance that ensures public safety.
With this jury award, Mettler Auld now faces a long and uncertain road to recovery, with her days as an ultramarathon athlete unequivocally behind her. While the compensation is substantial, it underscores a life permanently altered by a momentary encounter with a neglected piece of public infrastructure. This case may potentially inspire other cities to reevaluate and fortify their own approaches to public safety and infrastructure maintenance, preventing similar occurrences in the future.