If you tripped on a sidewalk in front of a private residence, responsibility can depend on who owns or controls that section of the sidewalk.

In many California cities—like Burbank, Los Angeles, or Van Nuys—the adjacent homeowner is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, even though it’s technically public property. So, if there were cracks, uneven pavement, or tree root damage and the homeowner failed to repair it or warn you, they could be held liable.

However, in some cases, the city may still share responsibility, especially if the sidewalk damage was reported but ignored. These cases can be tricky and often involve filing claims with both a municipality and a homeowner’s insurance provider.

📸 Take photos, get witness info, and contact a personal injury attorney ASAP to preserve your rights—especially since claims against a city have shorter deadlines (often just 6 months to file).

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