Property Accident Attorney

Swimming Pool Accidents

In Los Angeles, swimming pools constructed or remodeled after 2007 are required to have a pool fence. This is in place to help prevent the risk of drowning or related swimming pool accidents. Still, it is possible for someone to be severely injured if they hit something or someone when jumping into the pool, if they aren’t a strong swimmer and no one is watching them, or if another accident occurs.

Elevator and Escalator Accidents

Elevators and escalators have to be inspected regularly in Los Angeles, though this doesn’t mean they’re free of problems. If something does happen, the building owner may be held liable. Accidents can include falling on an escalator, finger injuries due to the escalator railing, limb injuries from being trapped in an elevator door, injuries from an elevator falling, and more. Owners must make sure the elevators and escalators are thoroughly inspected regularly to help prevent any of these injuries.

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Structural Collapses

Building collapses can happen, especially in older buildings or in buildings that are under construction. Structural collapses can lead to severe injuries like spinal cord injuries, broken bones, injured lungs, and death. Depending on the cause of the collapse, there could be various liable parties, including the building owner, construction contractor, a structural engineer overseeing a project, or anyone else involved.

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Fires

Fires can break out in any building. Fire compliance laws are in place in Los Angeles to help protect people who are in a building when a fire does start. Injuries can happen if someone is burned by the fire, inhales too much smoke, or is injured in the rush to leave the building. All of these issues can lead to severe injuries or death. To help prevent this, buildings need to have clear exit signs, unlocked exit doors, and fireproofing throughout the building to help slow the spread of the fire.

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Negligent Security

Someone outside of a store is robbed or attacked. Is the store liable? In some cases, the answer is yes. If there is security around the building, but it is not sufficient to stop the theft or attack, it can be considered negligent security. Negligence in these types of incidents can also include failing to provide a safe parking space, insufficient lighting to help prevent attacks, and more.

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Any Other Accidents

Just about any incident leading to injuries that happen on someone’s property can be considered a property accident. This includes both commercial properties and homes. The liable party can vary depending on exactly how the injuries occurred and whose negligence led to the possibility that an accident would happen. This can become complicated quickly, as there could be multiple parties at fault for any property accident, so it is important to have legal assistance when dealing with these cases.

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Common Injuries for These Accidents

Injuries vary based on the type of accident. Severe injuries can include broken bones, organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, disfigurement, and other long-term or permanent injuries. Those who are injured because of one of the above types of accidents will need to seek medical attention to see what injuries they sustained and their severity. This also allows them to get immediate assistance to minimize the potential for the injuries to become worse over time.

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Have you been injured while on someone else’s property? It doesn’t matter if it was a commercial or residential property – you may be owed compensation for your injuries. Compensation typically covers medical bills as well as other related expenses like lost wages and can help make you financially whole once again. Contact our law firm today to discuss your case and find out how we can help.

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FAQs About Property Accidents

Property accidents are so varied and such a unique subset of personal injury law, it’s no surprise that clients often have a lot of questions about their case. It’s advised to have a consultation with a lawyer to learn more about the specifics of any particular case, but those who are waiting for their scheduled consultation can read below and get answers to some of the questions they might have.

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What are Property Accidents?

Property accidents are accidents that occur on any property, residential or commercial, due to the negligence of the property owner or someone else on the property. These accidents include slip and falls, workplace injuries, fire injuries, and a lot more.

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Does Business Insurance Cover Property Accidents?

Businesses can have insurance specifically to cover the potential for injuries to occur on the property as a result of the business’s negligence. This is generally purchased to help protect the profits of the business, but the amount that it does cover can vary depending on the policy. Those who are injured will need to find out if the business has this type of insurance to file a claim. A lawyer may need to help with this.

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Can I Sue if I Trip Over a Crack in the Parking Lot?

It is possible to sue in this type of situation. Tripping on a crack and falling can lead to severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries. The business that owns the parking lot or company in charge of the maintenance may be liable for the injuries that occur if someone does trip on a crack.

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Can I Sue if I Choke on Food Purchased in a Vending Machine?

If you suffered injuries as a result of choking, it may be possible to sue the vending machine operator or the manufacturer of the food. If you stopped breathing long enough to suffer brain damage, for instance, there may be a basis to sue for compensation in this type of situation.

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Can I Sue if I’m Injured at Work?

Someone who is injured at work may have a claim against the worker’s compensation for the company, so long as the company has the minimum number of employees. Having a lawyer to help is advisable for worker’s compensation claims as there is a possibility the claim will be denied and need to be appealed. If the company has few workers and is not required to have worker’s compensation, it may be necessary to sue the business to receive compensation for the injuries.

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Can I Sue if I’m Injured Because Fire Exits Were Blocked?

Blocked fire exits can lead to smoke-related injuries, heat-related injuries, or death if a fire occurs. Those who are injured because a fire exit was blocked can sue the store to recover compensation for the injuries. If someone dies because a fire exit was blocked, their next of kin may have a case against the company and may be able to receive enough funds to cover the financial aspects of losing a loved one.

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Can I Sue if I’m Injured Outside of a Store?

A store’s liability doesn’t always end at the door. If the store is responsible for maintenance outside of the store, such as the sidewalks or lighting, they may be liable if anything happens on the premises, even if it didn’t happen in the store. If someone is injured in the parking lot and the store has no control over the maintenance, the injured person will need to seek compensation from the owner of the property.

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Can I Sue if I’m Injured on a Neighbor’s Property?

Lawsuits do happen if someone is injured while at a neighbor’s house or on their property. Being hurt on a neighbor’s trampoline, for instance, can lead to a lawsuit to recover compensation for the injuries. Accidents on residential properties can include animal attacks, slip and fall incidents, pool-related injuries, and more.

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What Compensation is Available for My Case?

The compensation varies depending on the severity of injuries, whether the person becomes permanently disabled as a result of the accident, and any other damages that result from the incident. Severe accidents can lead to a settlement that includes compensation for medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, lost future income, and a lot more.

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How Long Will it Take to Settle My Case?

It can take one to two years for a case to settle. Most cases do settle, with few going to trial. The amount of time it takes to settle depends on numerous factors, like whether or not it’s easy to determine liability or prove how the accident occurred.

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Do I Need to Sue to Receive Compensation?

It is necessary to file a claim to receive compensation after an accident. A lawsuit that goes to trial does happen, but most cases settle before it gets to this point. Those who aren’t sure if they are eligible for compensation or want help seeking a settlement will want to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

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Do I Need a Lawyer to Receive a Settlement?

It’s highly advisable to hire a lawyer. Those who attempt to file a claim on their own will find that the insurance company will minimize any potential settlement offer, and it can be difficult to negotiate with the insurance company’s team of lawyers. Having a lawyer gives the person a much higher chance of receiving a bigger settlement that will cover all accident-related expenses, including legal costs.

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What Do I Need to Bring to the Consultation?

Ready for a consultation? Bring any evidence for the case as well as a timeline of the events that led to the accident. Evidence can include any photos of the accident or injuries, copies of medical bills, copies of pay stubs to show lost wages, and any paperwork received by the at-fault party. The lawyer will review all evidence and provide advice for the next steps, which can include obtaining more evidence or starting to request a settlement.

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If you’ve been injured in a property accident, hopefully these FAQs have answered some of your questions. Contact our law firm today to schedule a consultation and get more detailed information pertaining to your case. This way, you can find out how we can help you obtain the compensation you need to financially recover from the accident.