Landmark $31 Million Verdict in Santa Fe Parking Lot Premises Liability Case
A Santa Fe jury awarded Megan Gonzalez $31.2 million for catastrophic injuries from a concealed pothole. The case solidifies New Mexico’s strict “ordinary care” standards, signaling that commercial owners cannot rely on “open and obvious” defenses for maintenance failures.
Albuquerque Faces Wrongful Death Litigation Over Hazardous Sidewalk Infrastructure
This case challenges municipal sovereign immunity under the NM Tort Claims Act. It explores whether “passive” negligence—like failing to clear overgrown brush—constitutes a “dangerous condition” when it forces pedestrians into traffic.
Genesis HealthCare and the Boundary of Premises Negligence in Nursing Homes
Litigation distinguishes between medical malpractice and environmental negligence. By framing injuries under the UJI 13-1300 series, plaintiffs are bypassing medical damage caps for incidents involving understaffing and poor maintenance.
Sanchez v. Torrez: The 10th Circuit and Evolution of Waterway Access
A pivotal shift from property-rights trespass models to public access. This case re-evaluates premises liability for natural landscapes, potentially limiting owner maintenance duties to “not creating traps” for legal entrants.
New Mexico v. Meta: Applying Digital Premises Liability to Platforms
A groundbreaking legal theory treating social media as a “dangerous digital premises.” If successful, this would apply UJI 13-1300 standards to software architecture, redefining “duty of care” in the digital age.
Disclaimer: The premises liability summaries provided above are for informational purposes based on public news records available for New Mexico (NM). The information provided is gathered from public news sources. It does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance regarding an incident, please consult with a qualified professional.
