RUPERT, Idaho — A Twin Falls woman and her husband are suing the Minidoka County Joint School District after she tripped over a speed bump in the parking lot at Minico High School.
Jan Duff and her husband, Curtis Duff, filed the civil lawsuit after she tripped over a speed bump in a parking area on Sept. 25, 2015, the Times-News reported.
Duff claims that the area was poorly lit and she and injured her knees and wrists when she hit the asphalt.
A status conference in the case is set for June 12 in front of Minidoka District Judge Jonathan Brody.
The speed bump is at the exit to the stadium and is the same blackish color as the asphalt, Duff said.
Duff said she incurred and will continue to incur damages including past and future medical expense, loss of household services, lost wages, out-of-pocket other expenses and interest on special damages.
She also claims she incurred damages for past and future pain and suffering, permanent impairment, disfigurement, mental anguish, a decrease in the enjoyment and value of her life, inconvenience and other non-economic damages.
She said the district had prior knowledge of the trip hazard.
Curtis Duff claims he suffered the loss of his wife’s companionship and consortium.
The amounts of all the losses are to be proven at trial.
The couple is also requesting attorney’s fees and other costs.
The district’s answer to the complaint denies that the lighting in the area where the speed bump is located is poor and says the speed bump “was so obvious the plaintiff knew it existed.”
The district’s response said any injuries to Duff were caused “by her own negligence in failing to keep lookout and awareness of her surroundings.”
The district denies prior knowledge that visibility near the speed bump was impaired and said the Duff’s failed to identify any defects in the speed bump.
The district also claims it can’t be held liable under the Idaho recreational use statute.
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