We know Los Angeles sidewalks are in rough shape. That is why the City Council agreed to spend $1.4 billion over the next 30 years to fix all of them. Unfortunately, those repairs will not help Holli S. Breakfield, a woman who was seriously injured because of sidewalk defects.
Breakfield was being carried on the back of another person, but the man carrying her “tripped on a pattern of defects,” according to her lawsuit. We know that she and her friend expected to be safe when they were on a sidewalk that is supposed to be inspected and maintained by the city. The last thing they expected was to trip.
Breakfield ended up with a head injury and medical expenses. The city is now considering a $3 million payout for a slip-and-fall incident.
Premises Liability
This above example is just one way people can get hurt on someone else’s property. Property owners have a responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone who comes onto their premises. If they fail to maintain safety, they can be held liable for any injuries that occur.
Parking lots often pose a hazard. Property owners need to ensure that the pavement is not uneven or broken. Slip-and-fall accidents in parking lots are common and they can cause major injuries, especially in the elderly.
Parking lots should also be well-lit at night to deter crime. In some cases, property owners may need to provide adequate security to prevent any incidents from happening. Nobody should fear from criminal activity when they visit a location they have a right to be at.
Slip and fall accidents account for over one million ER visits a year. All employees should ensure that there are no spills or other trip hazards present. When they mop, they need to make sure patrons know that the floor is wet.
All parts of a store should be well-maintained, including shelving and store displays. If they break, they can cause items to fall on people. Any time chemicals are used, they need to be properly stored to prevent anyone from getting into them.
We want to mention a little bit about restaurants. It is vital that restaurant staff store food at proper temperatures and dispose of expired or spoiled items. In conjunction with this, cooks should always cook food at proper temperatures to prevent customers from getting food poisoning.
What To Do Now
We know that getting hurt because someone else was negligent in their duties is not something you expected. It is not fair that you should bear the financial responsibility. At the Compass Law Group, we want to work with you to get the compensation you need for all of your accident-related expenses. This includes medical costs, lost income if you cannot work, and pain and suffering damages.
