Rhode Island Court Allows Cliff Walk Case To Proceed

Rhode Island’s Supreme Court has ruled that a man who became a quadriplegic when he fell from Newport’s Cliff Walk while on his honeymoon can move forward with his lawsuit.

The city of Newport wanted to re-argue the case, but the court denied that request.

Simcha Berman and his wife were walking along the Cliff Walk in August 2000 when he fell 29 feet onto rocks after mistakenly taking a path that led from the famous tourist attraction. He accused the city and state of failing to properly maintain the walk.

One of Berman’s lawyers tells The Providence Journal the trial will be delayed because more pretrial discovery needs to be conducted.

The case has wide-ranging ramifications for property owners who would be less likely to open land for recreational use if Berman wins.