A passenger who suffered serious spinal and neurological injuries when a San Francisco cable car came to a sudden stop last December has filed a lawsuit alleging the car was negligently maintained and operated.
The passenger was riding on the California Cable Car line shortly after 3 p.m. on Dec. 15 when, according to the complaint, the cable car reached maximum speed before abruptly stopping, shattering several windows and throwing passengers from their seats.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency records later described the issue to be caused by a “slot blade deployment,” an emergency brake that wedges into the cable slot in the street to bring a cable car to a stop.
A December emergency medical services report to the San Francisco Fire Commission said 15 people were evaluated at the scene and 12 were taken to hospitals, including two with moderate injuries and 10 with minor injuries.
The passenger, who was seated near the rear of the car, was knocked unconscious and taken by ambulance to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.
Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers, which is representing the passenger, said he suffered fractures and a cervical spinal cord injury, along with neurological and cognitive problems including balance issues, confusion, dizziness, headaches and ringing in his ears.
He remained hospitalized for an extended period and did not return home until March 23, the firm said. During his recovery, he was reportedly in a coma for four days and underwent surgery that included spinal decompression and fusion.
The complaint was filed in San Francisco Superior Court and alleges negligent maintenance and operation contributed to the abrupt stop and the passenger’s injuries.
“When someone boards public transportation, they should be able to trust that it is being operated and maintained safely,” Bill Berg, founding partner of Berg Injury Lawyers, said in a statement.
The lawsuit seeks to hold those responsible for the cable car’s operation and maintenance accountable for the passenger’s injuries.
Alex Barrett-Shorter, a spokesperson for the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office, said their office would review the complaint and respond in court once it is served with the lawsuit.