A 73-year-old retired Philadelphia teacher was killed when a rotting wooden utility pole snapped and crashed down on her as she walked at the Roxborough High School athletic complex, according to a newly filed lawsuit from her family. The complaint says the pole fractured at its base and crushed the woman, who later died of blunt-force trauma. Her estate is asking a court to hold the School District of Philadelphia and a contractor responsible.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the woman, identified in court papers as Paula Budin, was walking on the Roxborough track on the morning of Dec. 5, 2024, when a roughly 45-foot wooden pole snapped and struck her. A passerby discovered her bleeding and unresponsive, and paramedics were unable to revive her. The suit, filed this week in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, says lawyers examined the scene and found no inspection tags on the remaining poles.
What the suit alleges
The complaint paints a picture of long-term neglect: "The School District of Philadelphia knew or should have known of the dangerous condition of the subject pole as there were visible signs of its decay as far back as 2014," the court filing states, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer. The plaintiffs say Parsons Corp., hired by the district in 2015 to survey facilities, failed to inspect the utility poles and that the district did not warn the public or fix the problem.
Where the pole stood
Lawyers say the pole was buried in grass near a debris-clogged storm drain on a slope beside the Pechin Street track, leaving its base sitting in standing water that rotted the wood. According to the suit, only that pole showed the heavy discoloration and decay. The New York Post reported that four poles used for lighting and security cameras ringed the athletic complex and first flagged the family's filing.
District and contractor responses
In a statement, the district said it "cannot comment on pending litigation" but acknowledged the tragedy of Ms. Budin's death. Parsons Corporation "did not immediately reply" to the Post's request for comment, the New York Post reported. The suit says the district later removed the three remaining poles from the property after the December 2024 accident.
Legal fallout and next steps
Budin's family is seeking financial damages, and the complaint lays out negligence claims against both the district and Parsons. The case now moves into the court process, where discovery and expert inspections are expected to focus on how the poles were maintained. Plaintiffs' attorneys say the lack of inspection tags and the visible rot will be central to any fight over liability.
Remembering Paula Budin
Budin, 73, taught at Germantown Academy and the Community Partnership School and was described by relatives as an active retiree. Her survivors include two sisters, two nephews and a niece, according to Legacy.com. Her family says the lawsuit is meant to hold responsible parties to account for what they view as a preventable death.
The complaint also lands as a blunt reminder that aging fixtures around school properties can pose real public-safety risks. Court records in the case are expected to shed light on whether anyone knew about this particular danger and failed to act. Next steps will play out in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court as lawyers on both sides exchange documents and expert reports.
