Lawsuit against Laguna fails

A unanimous jury absolved the city last week from responsibility for

injuries allegedly suffered by a Miami lawyer who filed a claim for

$7 million.

Clay Craig sued the city, the county, the Laguna Beach County

Water District and unnamed individuals for medical expenses already

incurred, future expenses and loss of income.

The jury voted 12-0 in favor of the city.

“It can’t get more one-sided than that,” said Mike Strickroth, who

represented the city in court.

Strickroth, a partner in the law firm of Howard Loveder,

Strickroth and Parker, specializes in personal injuries cases.

Craig claimed that on July 7, 2001, he walked into a pole placed

on the sidewalk side of a fire hydrant, and that the pole constituted

a public hazard. Further, Craig claimed the city and/or the county

knew about the condition and failed to take measures to correct it.

The eight-day trial was heard in Orange County Superior Court.

Newport Beach attorney Sean M. Burke represented Craig.

City officials said the metal poles were installed to protect the

fire hydrant on Ocean Avenue.

The jury concluded there was no dangerous condition of public

property.

o7By Barbara Diamond

f7