Greenwich Village, NY – Two pedestrians are the first to file claims against the city’s bike-sharing program, Citi Bike, with both claiming that they were injured, not while riding the program’s bikes, but by tripping over its docking stations.
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DNAinfo.com (http://dnain.fo/17sBNa0) reports that both Howard Orlick, 52, and Lachonne Shelton, 50, have filed notices of claims related to their alleged falls.
Orlick is legally blind, and claims he misjudged the end of the sidewalk and the beginning of the base of the Citi Bike docking station located at University Place near 13th Street on May 5.
Orlick said his fall was due in part to the fact that both the sidewalk and Citi Bike’s docking station are painted gray.
“I fell into the 6-inch gap [between the sidewalk and the station] and twisted my ankle pretty badly,” Orlick said. “May I suggest you paint the bike-rack base a different color, like black?”
After undergoing X-rays and physical therapy to treat his ankle, Orlick is suing for $500 to cover his medical costs.
Lachonne Shelton claims she suffered injuries to her knees, left elbow, back and neck in an April 24 tumble caused by the Citi Bike station located at Centre and Worth streets.
Shelton says she was treated at Maimonides Hospital, and had to “hobble” home with the assistance of a cane following treatment.
Shelton’s July 10 claim says she is seeking $1M in damages from the city.
Trial lawyer sharks at it again.
“Orlick is legally blind, and claims he misjudged the end of the sidewalk and the beginning of the base of the Citi Bike docking station located at University Place near 13th Street on May 5.
Orlick said his fall was due in part to the fact that both the sidewalk and Citi Bike’s docking station are painted gray.”
If he is legally blind, what difference does the color of the bike’s docking station make?
Lawyers at their best….
Ok I understand $500.00 to cover mmedical cost and is legally blind and asking to repaint but one million dollars is plain old fashion theive she and her lawyer I wish both of them bad luck
The first guy sounds like he might actually be honest. Imagine only asking for $500 nowadays. Wow!
The second case is different. I wonder why she was treated at far away Maimonides in Brooklyn if she fell in downtown Manhattan.
Hopefully, the bike program will counter-sue for harassment and these two “pedestrians” will be bankrupted by the judgment. The bike program is one of Bloomberg’s signature achievements. Even in some frum neighborhoods, it has been positively received.