City Faces Lawsuit Over Child's Sledding Injuries
By Daniel Hawn
Published on December 27, 2005
A family is suing their native city of Omaha, Nebraska after one of their daughters suffered serious injuries from a sledding accident at a local park.
Tim Connelly and his wife are suing the city of Omaha for negligence in the sledding accident that lead to the paralysis of their daughter, Rachael.
On December 29 2000, the Connelly family was at Memorial Park where Rachael and her sister, Chelsea, were riding down a snow-covered hill on a saucer.
During one of the trips down the hill, the girls crashed into a group of trees at the southeastern side of the park. The girls spent the next three days in pediatric care. Chelsea recovered from her injuries, however doctors say that it is possible Rachael will never walk again.
The Connelly family's lawsuit claims that the parks department was aware that the trees posed a hazard to sledders. The suit alleges that a memo sent by the city forester indicated the danger eight months prior to the girls' accident.
Tom Mumgaard, Omaha's deputy city attorney said that the accident was a terrible event. He said that it was not the result of any deliberate action on the part of anyone employed by the city.
The city says that state law shields taxpayers from liability because there is an intrinsic risk involved in recreation such as sledding in public areas.
A ruling in the case is expected in February or March.
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