Rhode Island Cliff Walk Lawsuit Continues Against State

A New York man who became a quadriplegic after he fell from Newport’s Cliff Walk on his honeymoon has settled with the city for an undisclosed sum, but trial in his lawsuit against the state continues.

The seaside walk runs behind a string of opulent mansions and is one of New England’s most popular tourist attractions.

Simcha Berman and his wife were visiting in August 2000 when he says the ground gave way and he fell 29 feet onto rocks. He accused the city and state of failing to properly maintain the walk.

Berman, of Brooklyn, N.Y., settled with the city and the Cliff Walk Commission on Wednesday, the second day of trial.

The place where Berman fell had no fence at the time, but one has since been erected.