The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that a woman who was injured after tripping on a poorly maintained sidewalk can move forward with a lawsuit against the city of Danville.

The high court ruled unanimously that Danville was not immune from liability, as the city had argued.

Lower courts had sided with the city, finding that the municipality was protected by a state law intended to shield governments from the actions of their employees.

The plaintiff, Barbara Monson, sued the city several years ago, after she tripped on an uneven section of sidewalk and broke her shoulder.