California Injury Lawyers Blog

The family of Griselda Gonzalez is seeking $1 million in civil damages from a Huntington Beach property management company for her San Bernardino County wrongful death. Griselda, 37, was fatally assaulted by her estranged husband, Horacio Gonzales Jr., on July 22, 2009.

According to the San Bernardino wrongful death complaint, a security guard on the premise where Griselda worked saw Horacio exit his vehicle with a can of gasoline and a machete in hand and head for Mimi's Hair Design. Griselda worked as a stylist at the salon.

Parlor clients and workers fled for their safety and told the guard that they feared for Griselda's life. Per the Fontana, California wrongful death lawsuit, the guard was too frightened to help Griselda, who Horacio chased out the back door. According to KTLA, Horacio began stabbing her with the machete.

Someone driving by in a car reportedly jumped out to help her and Horacio fled the scene. Although he left before pouring gasoline on Griselda, she sustained a fatal gash to the left side of her head and neck. Horacio tried to commit suicide by drinking bleach. He was arrested later that day.

The plaintiffs are contending that prior to the attack the guard already knew that the Griselda and Horacio were estranged and that the latter had threatened his wife. Just the day before the murder, Horacio was asked to leave the salon. According to court records, Griselda had a restraining order against Gonzales for domestic violence.

Horacio has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges.

Griselda's family say they are filing the San Bernardino County wrongful death complaint for the couple's young children, who have now lost both their parents.

Inadequate Security
Premise owners that fail to provide adequate security on a property can be held liable for San Bernardino County, California premises liability if a crime was able to occur on the premise as a result. Depending on the type of premise and the types of violence that might abound, possible forms of adequate security might include:

• Trained security guards
• Surveillance cameras
• Alarm systems
• Locked gates
• Controlled access entry
• Metal detectors

Killed woman's family sues company, claims poor security, San Bernardino County Sun, July 7, 2010

Man pleads not guilty to murdering wife with machete, InsideSoCal, July 24, 2009

Woman Killed in Machete Attack at Beauty Salon, KTLA, July 23, 2009

Related Web Resource:
Inadequate Security Articles

114 of the 226 people who sustained injuries while attending the 14th annual Electric Daisy Carnival at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Exposition Park this weekend had to be treated at local hospitals. Some 185,000 people attended the event, which took place on Friday and Saturday. Insomniac Events produced the carnival, which went on from 2pm to 2am on both days.

52 of the injuries and 94 incidents were reported on Friday. 132 incidents were reported on Saturday when 62 people had to be taken to hospitals.

According to the LA Fire Department, some of the injuries were sustained when people who didn't have tickets attempted to rush barriers to enter the carnival. Other attendees who did have tickets reportedly tried to climb over barriers to enter the VIP sections.

The Los Angeles Police Department made 63 arrests on Saturday. 9 of those who were apprehended were juveniles. Trespassing, possession and sale of narcotics, and drinking in public were among the offenses allegedly committed.

Los Angeles Personal Injury and Premises Liability
If you were injured while attending a party, concert, festival, or another type of event, and you believe that those in charge of the event may have negligent or careless in making sure that the function ran smoothly and safely, it is important that you contact a Los Angeles premises liability law firm immediately. Event facilitators are supposed to make sure there is adequate security and that any hazardous conditions are removed from the grounds. In the case of large, professional events, preemptive planning should have taken place to prevent situations that could cause Los Angeles personal injuries. There also may be other parties and individuals who should be held liable.

More than 100 taken to hospitals during Electric Daisy Carnival, Los Angeles Times, June 28, 2010

Over 100 people hospitalized during LA festival, ABC Local, June 28, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Electric Daisy Carnival 2010

Insomniac Events

Continue reading "226 People Hurt During Festival at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Exposition Park" »

A 16-year-old girl was taken to a local hospital after she nearly drowned in an apartment complex pool. The Huntington Beach pool drowning accident happened on Thursday morning.

Police officers that arrived at Ocean Air Apartment Homes found a group of teenagers at the pool. All of them had been drinking alcohol. The teen reportedly went underwater and wasn't breathing when she was pulled out. Fortunately, someone was able to get her to start breathing again.

The pool was marked off as a crime scene and investigators talked to witnesses. Police are now saying that the Orange County, California pool drowning incident was an accident. There were no adults at the pool when the accident happened.

Pool Drowning
With summer underway, it is important that pool owners make sure that they have the proper safety measures in place to make sure that drowning accidents don't happen. Steps for ensuring that your pool is a safe place for swimmers, especially kids, include:

• Don't leave kids at a pool alone without supervision.
• Make sure there is an emergency phone, life vests, or other rescue equipment in the vicinity.
• Make sure that your pool drain is one that meets federal safety standards so as to prevent entrapment accidents from happening.
• During off hours, make sure that the pool is fenced off or covered so that no one can get into the pool without permission.

Drowning claims the lives of more than 900 kids every year in the 1-14 age group alone. For those that are fortunate enough to survive drowning accidents, they may be left with serious traumatic brain injuries for life.

Teens drinking around pool, girl nearly drowns, OC Register, June 17, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Pay Attention Around The Pool, KVUE

Swimming Pool Safety Act, CDPH.Ca.Gov (PDF)

Continue reading "Teen Injured in Huntington Beach Pool Drowning Accident " »

The parents of John Erlanson are seeking California wrongful death compensation from the Atascadero Unified School District. Erlanson, then 17, drowned on May 7, 2008 in the Atascadero High School swimming pool during a physical education class.

The 17-year-old was in the school's swimming pool during class when the teacher stepped away from the pool deck and left the pool without adult supervision. It was the teenager's fellow students who noticed that he was at the bottom of the pool. They swam down 12 feet to retrieve him.

It is unknown whether Erlanson, who was diagnosed with a seizure disorder years before, suffered a seizure before drowning. Some students say that while the teenager was in the pool's shallow end, he started to exhibit signs of someone who was about to have one.

The plaintiffs' wrongful death lawsuit accuses the school district of inadequate supervision, observation, staff training, and safeguards. Their injury attorney contends that because staffers knew that Erlanson suffered from a seizure disorder, they should have done more to protect him from becoming involved in a California drowning accident.

After Erlanson's death, the school district started working with the Red Cross to train high school students to become certified lifeguards that could supervise PE classes. The school district also updated its pool safety policy and got new safety equipment.

Schools are responsible for properly supervising students and making sure that there are no dangers or hazards on the school grounds that can cause serious injury or death. If your child was injured or died because school officials were reckless or negligent in any way, you may reason for filing an Orange County, California personal injury case.

Parents of teen who died in Atascadero High School pool sue school district, SanLuisObispo.com, June 11, 2010

AHS junior drowns Wednesday, Atascadero News, May 8, 2008

Related Web Resources:
Atascadero Unified School District

Unintentional Drowning: Fact Sheet, CDC

Marlene Elaine Olson is suing the city of Newport Beach and two companies for her Orange County, California personal injuries. Olson says that she hurt her finger because bathroom stall doors at Corona del Mar State Beach had been improperly installed.

Olson says that her finger broke and its tip was partially ripped off when, while trying to shut her stall door on November 15, 2008, the person in the stall next to hers opened her door and the two doors collided. In her Newport Beach personal injury lawsuit, Olson is blaming the city for failing to make sure that the bathroom stalls on the beach were safe for public use.

She is also suing Partition Systems Inc., the company that made the doors, and Weeger Bros. Inc., the one that installed it. Olson is seeking compensation for medical bills and lost wages, which exceed $25,000.

In another Orange County premises liability case, Peggy Carroll has filed a personal injury claim against the city of Huntington Beach for her trip and fall injuries. The 66-year-old Anaheim woman says that raised tree roots near the intersection of Knoxville Avenue and Florida Street had created an uneven surface, which caused her to fall on the sidewalk.

Carroll's Huntington Beach trip and fall claim accuses the city of breaching its duty by failing to properly maintain the sidewalk. She says that because she fell, one side of her face became black and blue after she struck her head against the sidewalk. Carroll says she has incurred medical costs, including ongoing chiropractor bills for her back and neck injuries.

Premise owners must make sure that their properties are properly maintained and that there are no hazards that can cause someone to get hurt. Common reasons why someone might file a premises liability case:

• Defective conditions
• Slip and fall
• Poor maintenance
• Improper installation on the property
• Inadequate security
• Falling merchandise
• Hazardous conditions
• Failure to warn of hazard

Partial finger loss leads to civil suit, Daily Pilot, May 28, 2010

Woman blames tree for fall, seeks $50,000 for injuries, The Orange County Register, May 26, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Premises Liability Resources, Justia

Corona del Mar State Beach

Stephen Holloway and Michael McClelland have settled their Los Angeles personal injury lawsuit against Contemporary Services Corp. of Northridge, Live Nation Worldwide Inc., and Pavilion Partners Limited. Holloway and McClelland, who are both from Riverside County, had filed their Los Angeles inadequate security complaint in January 2008 for injuries they sustained at the July 2007 Ozzfest concert in Devore.

The plaintiffs claim that the security guards at the concert were "too young" and did not have the proper training to work as security guards at the heavy metal concert, which had been founded by Ozzy Osborne and his wife Sharon. Holloway says that he was attacked by several assailants while at the Glen Helen Pavilion. They grabbed his hair, kicked his face, and broke his jaw. He contends that the security guards at the concert told him and his girlfriend to leave and they refused to write a report about the alleged attack.

McClelland says that he sustained lacerations, bruises, and broke his jaw during a similar attack. He claims that when security at the concert was notified about the assault, they didn't want to get involved because they deemed the situation to be too dangerous.

The plaintiffs say that they did nothing to provoke the attacks. They also contend that prior to the assaults on them, security had known about other attacks that had already occurred to other Ozzfest attendees.

Los Angeles Inadequate Security Lawsuits
If you were a victim of a violent crime on someone else's property or at an event that you attended, you may have grounds for filing a Los Angeles premises liability lawsuit. Premise owners and event supervisors are supposed to make sure that there is adequate security on a property so that patrons, guests, residents, and visitors aren't assaulted, raped, robbed, or murdered. Failure to provide adequate security measures--especially if there was prior knowledge about past criminal activities on the premise--can be grounds for a Los Angeles personal injury lawsuit.

Examples of some of the safety measures a property owner or event supervisor may want to implement to provide the proper protections and ward off inadequate security cases (This will vary, depending on the premise and/or event):

• Security cameras
• Security personnel
• Secured gates
• Surveillance cameras
• Alarm system
• Doors and windows that are properly secured
• Adequate lighting
• Gated entryways
• Security screening systems and procedures

Settlement reached in lawsuit over injuries suffered at Ozzfest, Mydesert.com, April 21, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Premises Liability, Justia

Ozzfest

This week, an appeals court revived a Los Angeles County slip and fall complaint against Rose Hills Company. Eileen Norwood is suing for injuries she sustained after she was impaled by a pipe while visiting Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary on Mother's Day 2005.

Norwood claims she was injured when, while walking away from a trash can that was sitting on a concrete pad, she slipped on a wet patch and fell on a pipe that was 17 7/8 inches tall. She punctured her liver and lung during the impalement accident. In her Los Angeles County premises liability lawsuit, Norwood accused Rose Hills of negligence.

The cemetery moved for summary judgment, arguing that the wet concrete where the California slip and fall accident happened was not dangerous and that on a clear, bright day a reasonable person would have noticed the wet spot and either exercised extra care when walking on it or chosen around to go around it. Norwood, in her opposing motion, contended that mud, algae, and water from a leaking faucet that is located on a sloping, concrete walking surface, next to an unprotected pipe, and near a trash can that pedestrians frequent is a dangerous condition that the premise owner failed to remedy.

The trial court's tentative ruling in 2008 granted the defendant's motion and then entered an order denying it. Rose Hill proceeded to submit a motion for clarification. The court then granted summary judgment in favor of the defense and the two parties entered into a stipulation judgment.

However, appellate court Judge Richard D. Aldrich says the trial court erred in its decision since clearly there was reasonable time for the property owner to determine the growing algae on mud next to a pipe that lacks protective covering is a dangerous condition that should be remedied.

Immediately after Norwood's slip and fall accident, her husband had taken photos of the accident site and her shoes, which had algae and mud on them.

Los Angeles Slip and Fall Accidents
Slipping on a slippery or wet surface or on an object on the ground can lead to painful, debilitating injuries. This is why a premise owner must make sure that there are no slip hazards on a property.

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you should take photos of any evidence, as well as the accident site, and consult with a Los Angeles injury lawyer about your case. Hip injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious personal injuries can occur.

Court of Appeal Revives Suit by Woman Impaled by Pipe at Cemetery, Metropolitan News-Enterprise, March 31, 2010

Slip and Fall, Justia

Related Web Resources:
Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary

Slip and Fall, Nolo

Marcelino Moreno Jr. has filed a Placentia dog bite injury claim against the city. He is asking for $1 million. The 40-year-old Placentia resident contends that while hiding from cops, because there was an outstanding warrant in his name, Anaheim police dogs attacked him even though he wasn't resisting arrest and the officers were looking for someone else.

Moreno claims that he is the victim of excessive use of police force and his civil rights were violated, which is why he has filed a similar Orange County, California personal injury claim against the city of Anaheim. He says he submitted his Placentia injury claim because he wants to make sure the statute of limitations for filing one doesn't expire while he determines whether local cops should be held liable for the Anaheim police brutality incident.

Moreno says he was hospitalized for several days because of his dog bite injuries.

Dog Bite Injuries
While most dogs make great pets, there are those that cause serious injuries when biting, attacking, or mauling someone. In 2009, 30 people died from dog bite injuries. 368,000 dog attack victims end up in the ER every year because of their injuries.

California has a strict liability law when it comes to dog bites. A dog owner can be held liable for a dog attack even if he/she did not act negligently and the animal had never bitten anyone before. In certain cases, premise owners, including landlords, commercial property owners, and residential property owners, can also be held liable for a dog mauling that took place on their property even if they don't own the animal that was involved.

It is important that you speak with a Placentia dog bite attorney that knows how to handle California animal attack cases. For example, a liable party may argue that you were trespassing, engaged in conduct that provoked the dog attack, or that your injuries were not caused by the dog.

Man wants $1 million from Placentia for dog bite, OC Register, March 29, 2010

Related Web Resources:

Animal & Dog Law, Justia

Dog Bite Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Kasandra and Juan Canon have filed Orange County, California personal injury claims against the county, as well as against the cities of Orange and Irvine. Juan sustained serious injuries on September 16 when he was involved in a head-on crash on Santiago Canyon Road.

In addition to head trauma, fractured legs, hip fractures, and rib fractures, Juan also broke his back. His medical expenses are expected to exceed $400,000.

The Orange County, California car accident happened as a woman motorist accidentally crossed the double yellow lines while swerving to turn on a curve. According to the Canon's California injury claims, the county and the two cities are to blame for the road's poor maintenance, design, and construction.

If you were injured in an Irvine car accident, you should contact an experienced Orange County, California attorney immediately. In addition to the negligent motorist, you may have grounds for filing a claim against the city if poor roadway design or maintenance contributed to the motor vehicle crash happening. Also, depending on where the traffic collision occurred, you may be able to hold the county liable for failing to clear debris, remove obstructions, trim trees, install pedestrian lights, traffic lights, and/or other stop signs, repair potholes, or set up safety parameters for highway construction zones.

Example of other road defects:

• Inadequate striping
• Dangerous road design
• Malfunctioning traffic control devices
• Improper embankment
• Inadequate shoulder area
• Lack of median barriers
• Poor drainage system
• Inadequate bridge railing
• Speed limit is too high or too low for road conditions and regular traffic
• Inadequately marked roads
• Poor sight lines
• Inadequate curbing
• Glare from street lights
• Poor visibility for drivers

Claim: Poor road conditions led to Santiago Canyon crash, Orange County Register, March 17, 2010

Related Web Resources:
City of Orange, California

City of Irvine, California

County of Orange

Continue reading "Cities of Irvine and Orange, and Orange County, California Blamed for Poor Road Conditions that Contributed to Santiago Canyon Road Car Accident " »

A Temecula boy is seeking over $500,000 in Orange County, California personal injury compensation from the city of Huntington Beach. Chad Kanon claims that he tripped and fell on a sand covered-fire pit at the Huntington State Beach last September.

As a result of the accident, Kanon, who sustained third- and second-degree burn injuries on his foot, suffered disfigurement and permanent scarring. He is accusing the city of failing to clean, maintain, and landscape the beach and the fire pits.

City officials say they will turn down the Huntington Beach trip and fall claim. They contend that the accident happened on a state beach, which the city is not required to maintain.

Kanon is not the first person to allege that a beach fire pit caused his injuries. The parents of a 2-year-old boy filed their Huntington Beach injury claim last February after their son climbed into a fire pit and suffered serious burns. Autumn Williams, the 13-year-old girl who rescued the toddler from the pit, also sustained burns. Her parents, Lesslie and Lisa, are seeking Orange County, California injuries to children damages on her behalf.

Premise owners must make sure that there are no hazards on a property that can cause injury. Otherwise, they can be sued for Orange County, California premises liability.

Burn Injuries
Fire, heat, hot liquids, sunlight, chemicals, fire, steam, electricity, flammable liquids/gas, or radiation can cause burn injuries.

Kinds of Burn Injuries:

First-Degree Burns
Second-Degree Burns
Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns are the most serious kind of burn injury and involve damage to the skin and tissue. Blistering, scarring, swelling, shock, disfigurement, and death can occur from burn injuries, which can be extremely painful. Serious burn injuries may require skin grafts and other painful treatments.

If your injury occurred because you believe another party was negligent, you may have grounds for an Orange County, California burn injury lawsuit.

Boy burned in H.B. fire pit wants $500,000, Orange County Register, March 17, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Burn Injuries, Burn-Recovery.org

City of Huntington Beach, California

Huntington Beach bicyclist Anita J. Newman has filed an Orange County, California personal injury claim against the city. The 61-year-old claims that she sustained a head trauma, lost her sense of smell, and experienced memory loss, vertigo, and depression after she was hit by a parking lot gate arm.

Newman told the Orange-County Register that the accident happened on September 6 close to the First Street parking lot. The gate arm struck her arm, before bouncing up to strike her chin. She fell off her bicycle and that is when her head struck the ground.

She says that not only was she hospitalized for a week but there was bleeding in her skull and she can't remember the accident. Newman says that there should have been a warning to let her know that the gate arm was coming down. She also points out that the sign barring bicycles from the area is small and hard for cyclists to read.

Huntington Beach Premises Liability
Property owners must exercise reasonable care to ensure that all hazards on a premise are either fixed or taken off the property. If anything is a possible hazard, then adequate warning signs should be put up to prevent injury or death. Victims of property hazards may have grounds for filing an Huntington Beach, California personal injury lawsuit.

Examples of Premise Hazards:

• Inadequate security
• Falling merchandise
• Wet liquids on the ground
• Debris on the floor
• Poorly lit hallways
• Broken steps
• Electrical hazards
• Swimming pools that lack covering
• Unsecured, heavy objects
• Sidewalk defects
• Toxic substances
• Defective machinery, equipment, or furniture

Unfortunately, premise hazards can exist anywhere, including in restaurants, parks, private homes, apartment complexes, offices, hotels, bars, amusement parks, offices, grocery stores. To file an injury lawsuit against an Orange County, California city for premises liability, you must first file a claim notifying of your intent to sue.

Claim: Bicyclist hit with gate arm lost sense of smell, The Orange County Register, March 10, 2010

Related Web Resources:
The Basic Liability Rules for Premises Accidents, Nolo

City of Huntington Beach, California

The Los Angeles County wrongful death trial involving the city of Glendale and filed by a widow whose elderly husband died after he fell at Casa Adobe de San Rafael is scheduled to begin this month. Hasmik Khanbabayan claims that premises liability and inadequate security contributed to her husband's fall accident injuries that eventually led to his death.

Vahan Karapetian allegedly fell while stepping down from the historical building's porch. He fractured his shoulder. After over two months at Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Karapetian, who was in his 80's, died.

In her Glendale wrongful death complaint, Hasmik Khanbabayan alleges that the porch wasn't safe and that due to a lack of security patrols, Karapetian was on the ground bleeding for 45 minutes. She is seeking compensation for funeral expenses, medical costs, and distress.

Meantime, Glendale officials claim that negligence did not contributed to the elderly man's death. Instead, they cite the victim's age and medical history as causes of his death.

Fall Accidents
If you or someone you love got hurt during an Orange County, California fall accident on someone else's property, you may be able to file a premises liability lawsuit. Poor lighting, uneven stairs, uneven pavements, holes in the carpet, lack of stair or balcony railings, and other hazards can increase the chances that a fall accident may occur.

Fall injuries can be very painful and may force the injured party to take time off work and spend time in the hospital and/or at home in bed. This can lead to costly medical expenses and lost wages. If the fall accident victim lives alone, he or she may have to get someone to move in during the recovery period. Rehabilitation, which can take months, can also be very expensive.

For older people, fall injuries can lead to bedsores, infections, broken hips (possibly requiring hip replacement surgery), and even death.

Wife blames city for death, Glendale News Press, March 3, 2010

Falls in the Elderly, American Academy of Family Pediatrics

Related Web Resources:
Casa Adobe de San Rafael & Park

City of Glendale

Amber Scott is suing the city of Huntington Beach for Orange County, California personal injury. The 37-year-old woman claims that she broke her elbow during a fall accident on an uneven sidewalk last December.

Scott claims that the city is liable for her Huntington Beach trip and fall injuries because of its failure to check the sidewalk, located on Crest Street close to Main Street. She wants the city to pay for lost wages, related medical costs, and other damages. Scott is asking for at least $25,000.

If you were injured in a trip and fall accident, a slip and fall accident, a step and fall accident, or in an injury accident caused by poorly designed roads, defective sidewalks, poorly lit walkways or stairwells, or other hazardous conditions on a property that is owned by a city, you may have grounds for filing an Orange County, California injury claim that will allow you to seek damages for premises liability.

Just last week, the city of Huntington Beach settled a premises liability lawsuit over injuries to a minor for $30,000. 14-year-old Douglas Young was 12 when he fell in a public alley while riding on a wave board on May 10, 2008. He broke two of the bones in his right arm.

The teenager's Orange County, California injuries to a minor lawyer says there was construction taking place at the time, resulting in broken pavement and potholes in an area that was frequented by kids on skateboards and bicycles. Despite agreeing to settle, the city maintains that it is not liable for Young's Huntington Beach fall accident injuries.

Unfortunately, sidewalk related accidents are not uncommon and can cause painful, debilitating injuries. Broken bones, hip injuries, back injuries, and traumatic brain injuries have been known to happen.

Teen gets $30,000 from city after waveboard crash, OC Register, February 1, 2010

Woman suing for $25,000 after tripping on sidewalk, OC Register, February 5, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Premises Liability, Justia

City of Huntington Beach, California

24-year-old Brandi Lynn Sutton wants the city of Newport Beach to compensate her for $2 million for injuries she sustained when she was hit by a taxi in August 2009. The Costa Mesa resident says that the crosswalk she was in was poorly lit.

Sutton broke bones in her lower leg, suffered a concussion, and sustained elbow, knee, and back injuries when she was struck by a Ford Crown Victoria cab at around 2am on West Balboa Avenue at 26th Street. She claims that a number of factors contributed to her Newport Beach pedestrian accident, including the faded crosswalk paint and an unlit street light that created a dangerous condition on public property.

There are conflicting reports over what happened that night. One witness in a police report claims that Sutton was not in the crosswalk when the Orange County, California traffic crash happened and that she appeared to be "loitering in the roadway" and was in no hurry to get to the sidewalk. The same witness said that the street light did not go on, and only did so intermittently, until after the accident involving Sutton happened.

City officials turned down Sutton's Orange County, California injury claim asking for $2.2 million. She will have to file a Newport Beach injury lawsuit in order to recover damages.

If you were injured on public property in Newport Beach, you will first have to file a claim against the city. If your injury case is not resolved after you file, you may want to pursue a Newport Beach injury lawsuit against the city.

Premise owners are responsible for ensuring that the property they own/oversee has no hazardous conditions that can contribute to causing an Orange County, California premises liability accident. This includes making sure that roads are properly designed, adequately lit, and equipped with the proper traffic signs and signals.

Woman hit by taxi wants $2 million, The Orange County Register, February 1, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Newport Beach, California

Continue reading "Costa Mesa Woman Wants $2 Million for Newport Beach Pedestrian Accident Injuries" »

According to a letter by Muriel Tuteur published in the Laguna Woods Globe, her friend Helene Press tripped and fell, breaking her right femur on the evening of October 27, because of there was inadequate lighting in the parking lot in United Mutual. Press had to be confined in the hospital for at least four weeks. She has needed about 10 weeks to heal so can walk again.

Press was walking out of a jewelry class when she tripped over a concrete parking barrier close to her car. She says that due to the poor lighting, she didn't see the bumper, which was painted blue. Press says that after her Orange County, California trip and fall accident, paramedics had to come and her because she felt paralyzed.

Press is reportedly not the only one who has gotten hurt in this parking lot. Over the years, others have reportedly complained about the lighting. Let There Be Light coordinator Margaret Pearlman says lawsuits have been filed over the lighting in the senior community.

Trip and fall injuries can lead to broken bones, neck injuries, back injuries, hip injuries, arm injuries, knee injuries, and other physical injuries. Trip accident injuries can be excruciatingly painful and may leave a person immobile for weeks if not months or permanently.

Recovery and rehabilitation can take a long time, and the medical costs can start to rack up. Older people, whose bones are more fragile, can take longer to recover from fall accidents. Fall accidents have also been known to cause lead to deteriorating health, bedsores, and other complications for the aged.

Premise owners are supposed to make sure there is sufficient lighting on the property. Proper lighting can prevent fall accidents and violent crimes. Poor lighting can be grounds for an Orange County, California premises liability lawsuit.

Resident broke leg in dark parking lot, OC Register, December 16, 2009

Falls - Older Adults, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Related Web Resources:
Laguna Woods Village

Slip and Fall Accidents, Nolo

Continue reading "Did Poor Lighting Cause Laguna Woods Trip and Fall Accident?" »