My father needs advice about compensation

[kseward]

I live in Oregon but my 71 year old father lives in Sioux City, Iowa. He asked me to try to find out how much he should ask for in terms of compensation after an accident he had last spring (2007) on a public sidewalk. I greatly appreciate anyone's input on this matter.
As he was performing his usual daily walk my father tripped over a water stop box cover sticking out of a public sidewalk (he has limited vision and is legally blind) and fell. His injuries included lacerations on his cheek, shoulder and left elbow, a sprained right hand and a fractured left knee cap. All of these injuries were detected and treated at the local hospital's emergency room, with morphine administered for pain at the hospital and a prescription for pain medication given to him to take at home. Also, his left leg was fitted with a brace and he was told to see his family doctor within 3 days.
On crutches with his leg brace for his first doctor visit, he was told to keep the brace on at all times, even in bed, except for during range of motion exercises performed 4 times daily. He used the prescribed pain pills daily for the first week, then tapered off during the second week.
Using a cane during his second doctor visit, he had an X-ray to check injuries which looked OK but he had to have fluid removed from his knee joint and was advised to use an ice pack on his knee to minimize swelling and to continue using the leg brace. He was also told that his knee should be healed in another 6 weeks.
After 6 weeks he was told to remove the leg brace unless walking on rough or unfamiliar terrain and that he could resume his daily walks.
His medical bills totaled $1100 out of pocket and he also needed a neighbor to do the yard work and drive him to doctor visits much of the time due to my mother having leg surgery around the same time.
His question is: what total amount, including reimbursement for medical expenses as well as damages and pain and suffering, should my father recieve from the city of Sioux City? He hasn't gotten an attorney yet and wants to avoid one if possible and would like to know what a fair amount would be.
Thanks again for any input.What is the name of your state?

[ecmst12]

What makes you think that the city can be held liable for this at all? Your father definitely needs to at least speak to a lawyer; government agencies are not normally held responsible for road hazards, especially necessary ones.