Wrong Address Kills Michigan Suit over Bad Sidewalk

A lack of precision has killed a lawsuit over a bad sidewalk and a broken arm.

The Michigan Supreme Court this week overturned the state appeals court and dismissed a lawsuit against the city of Hamtramck. Justices say 60-year-old Kimeta Jakupovic failed to give the exact location of a crack in a sidewalk.

Jakupovic badly fractured her arm in 2008 after falling. Michigan law requires that someone give notice to a public agency so the claim can be investigated. She listed the address as 9477 Mitchell — not 9465 Mitchell where the crack was located.

The appeals court says Jakupovic shouldn’t be penalized, but a majority on the Supreme Court disagreed.