SF pays woman who fell at Palace of Fine Arts $2.25 million

The steps at the rotunda of the Palace of Fine Arts are a picturesque tourist attraction and a place where newlyweds pose for photos. Earlier this month, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors signed off on a multimillion dollar settlement with Lisa Owen. Following the settlement with Owen, San Francisco’s Recreation and Park Department, which oversees the outpost, is considering taking measures to ensure another person doesn’t fall. “In order to protect our park spaces and to increase the likelihood that park goers make sound decisions, we are considering additional signage, more plantings in the planters and increased patrols and enforcement around the Palace of Fine Arts,” said department spokesman Elton Pon. Matt Dorsey, spokesman for the city attorney’s office, said he couldn’t speak about the Owen’s case specifically. “Every litigation settlement we recommend reflects a thorough assessment of the facts and law, and our best judgment of the most prudent course for the city and its taxpayers and the Owen’s case is no exception,” Dorsey said.