Ellerman v. City of Manitowoc

¶ 1. The sole issue in this appeal, an issue of first impression in Wisconsin, is whether a public parking lot is a "highway" within the meaning of Wis. Stat. § 81.15 (2001-02) — the limited immunity statute for maintenance of highways. If so, the City of Manitowoc is immunized from liability for injuries Cheryl Ellerman suffered as a result of a slip and fall in a parking lot alleged to be owned, maintained, monitored and repaired by the City. We hold that the term "highway" encompasses a public parking lot and, therefore, the City is entitled to immunity pursuant to §81.15. Accordingly, we…