On Monday, May 18, 2026, 56-year-old Donike Gocaj fell 10 feet to her death after stepping out of her car into an open manhole in Midtown, New York City. Her death was ruled an accident, resulting from blunt force trauma to the torso, scald burns, and inhalation thermal injury.
First responders arrived at the scene within minutes of the fall; however, it took about 20 minutes to rescue Gocaj from the manhole. She later succumbed to her injuries at the New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Many wondered how the manhole was left uncovered, as there was no construction occurring near the scene. The manhole’s cover was found 15 feet away from the site. Con Edison, the city’s energy utility provider, conducted an investigation and found through surveillance footage that the cover was dislodged by a truck. New York City agencies are continuing to work with Con Edison to execute a full investigation into the tragic slip-and-fall incident.
Can You Sue for Falling in a Manhole?
While the odds of falling into an open manhole are slim, it is not impossible and can happen anywhere. Los Angeles County and Orange County are estimated to contain more than 260,000 manholes. Manholes in these counties are managed by various agencies, including but not limited to the LA County Department of Public Works, the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, OC Operations and Maintenance, and more.
Falling into open manholes is generally categorized as a “trip-and-fall” accident and considered a premises liability claim, as the managing entity owes a legal duty to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition. If a manhole is left uncovered and unmarked, the managing entity is failing to provide reasonable, safe conditions, as seen in the New York City tragedy.
If an individual has fallen into an open manhole in Los Angeles County or Orange County, the legal process can be complex and difficult to navigate. Working with a skilled and knowledgeable trip-and-fall attorney in Anaheim can be of extreme value to one’s case and help ensure a fair outcome.
Contact An Experienced Anaheim Trip-and-Fall Attorney
If you are injured from an uncovered manhole or a trip-and-fall accident in Los Angeles County or Orange County, contact experienced Anaheim trip-and-fall attorney John J. Perlstein for a free consultation.
With over 25 years of experience, John J. Perlstein has helped individuals secure just outcomes in trip-and-fall accidents and is here to help you achieve your desired legal results. Contact the Law Office of John J. Perlstein by calling (213) 252-1070 or by filling out this form.