California, with its sun-drenched landscapes and bustling urban centers, offers a vibrant lifestyle. However, beneath the surface of idyllic scenery lies a common hazard: slip and fall accidents. These incidents, often seemingly minor, can result in significant injuries, financial burdens, and emotional distress for victims. Whether it's a wet grocery store floor, an uneven sidewalk, or inadequate lighting in a parking lot, property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain reasonably safe premises for visitors. At KAASS LAW we understand the complexities surrounding slip and fall accidents and are dedicated to providing clear guidance and robust legal representation to those who have been injured due to negligence.
A slip and fall accident falls under California premises liability laws. For an injured party to recover damages, the accident must have resulted from someone’s negligence. Hence, not all falls will necessarily lead to a slip and fall liability, but in a surprisingly large number of cases, they certainly can.
More specifically, someone is negligent and responsible for a slip and fall case in California if they:
As you may imagine, many factors can come into play in slip and fall cases. The most important factors tend to be those that we can link to what may have caused the slip and fall to recover damages. Some examples of these factors and causes are:
According to California law, people owe a duty of care to protect those who enter their property from harm. Duty of care applies to anyone who owns, leases, occupy or controls the property. However, it does not just apply to individuals; parent companies or insurers may also be liable to pay damages to people injured in slip and fall accidents in California.
Let’s explore a possible slip and fall scenario: Stephanie is out with her friends at a club, and she slips on someone’s spilled drink, injuring her head. This is a situation where there may be several possible liable parties, such as the promoter, the club owner, the parent company, the party’s insurers, and maybe even the club’s or promoter’s staff. As such, we can take many possible avenues in determining who is liable for a slip and fall injury, depending on the context of the situation.
You need to know the four things that have to be established to prove that negligence led to your injuries in the slip and fall case. These four things are important to establish if you wish to recover damages:
Once these four get established, we are well on our way to recovering damages for your slip and fall case. You are entitled to recover all compensatory damages that resulted from their negligence. Compensatory damages include:
We can recover punitive damages for a slip and fall case if the defendant’s recklessness led to severe injuries or death or if the defendant deliberately destroyed evidence of their liability.
Although an injured party may be eligible to recover damages, there is a statute of limitation ("SOL") to bring a slip and fall lawsuit. In California, the statute of limitations for slip and fall cases is two years from the accident date.
Many injured wonder what they must do to prepare for a slip and fall claim? The key is to show that the fall was the result of negligence. To prove that a third party was negligent, an injured party must collect evidence. Such evidence can include:
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident in California, don't navigate the legal complexities alone. The experienced personal injury attorneys at KAASS LAW are here to help. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and explain your rights. Contact our office today to take the first step towards justice and recovery. Let us help you navigate the treacherous terrain and fight for the compensation you deserve.
California is one of many states that are considered car-dependent. The kind of offer of lending your vehicle to another person is quite common. However, such an innocent act may result in accidents and injuries, given the circumstances. A typical question always pops up when you're in this situation: am I liable for this, even though I wasn't the driver? The state of California also recognizes a legal doctrine called negligent entrustment. Applying to the law, this can potentially hold the vehicle owner liable for damages due to permitting someone else to drive their vehicle. At KAASS LAW, we understand and help resolve these complex cases with our expert team. The following will aim to shed light on negligent entrustment in California, and we can offer legal services, given the opportunity.
Negligent entrustment means that you can be liable and legally responsible if you lend your var to someone you knew or should have known potentially driving negligent and or recklessly. Usually negligence falls under the person that initiated the act. However, this will go against your negligent decision to entrust the vehicle to an unfit driver.
In California, you can sue for injuries sustained in a horse-riding equestrian accident. An injured party may be entitled to damages, such as medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Liability for an injury sustained in a horse-riding accident may attach to:
Common causes of action in horseback riding and equestrian accidents include the following: General Negligence: Often times horseback riding accidents and injuries occurs due to the equestrian club and or riding agency’s negligent actions. Common negligent action on part of the equestrian club includes failure to the instructor to train new riders, failing to properly train a horse, or failure to properly fasten saddles and girths to the horse. : Horseback riders can sustain injuries due to the use of defective riding equipment such as defective saddles, defective riding helmets, defective girth, and bridles. In order to succeed on a product liability claim, the plaintiff must prove that the existence of a defect in the product substantially increased the risk of harm to the end-user. A plaintiff may prove the existence of a defect in a product in 3 ways. (1) Defect in the manufacturing process of the product; (2) Defect in the product's initial design; and (3) Failure to warn. : Injuries sustained in horse-riding accidents can be caused by defective riding trail conditions including. Under premises liability, owners and operators of the property/land are liable for any injuries caused by known and knowable dangers.
Typically, dermal fillers are injected into the face, such as the forehead and lips. Dermal fillers are also used as a way to help diminish facial lines and restore volume and fullness in the face. The injection of dermal fillers has grown popular within the past few years. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there has been approximately 2.6 million dermal filler injections in 2018 alone. Unfortunately, if these injections don't go proceed as follows, they are at risk of a Products Liability Defective Dermal Filler.
According to www.fda.gov, the FDA is responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety, efficiency, and security of human drugs as well as medical devices that ensure the safety of the nation’s food and cosmetic supply.
Some of the more common dermal fillers include the following: calcium hydroxyapatite, hyaluronic acid, polyalkylimide, polylactic acid, and polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres.
Dermal fillers such as Injectable silicone is not approved for any aesthetic procedure. Silicone injections can lead to long-term pain and injuries such as infections, scarring, permanent disfigurement, stroke, and death.
Often times, a collapse of a balcony or deck can lead to serious injuries or even death. An injured party may file a claim or lawsuit to seek compensation for damages sustained.
Under the premises liability law of California, the owner of the property should exercise reasonable care of the property. A defendant can prove that he/she exercised reasonable care by showing her or she did the following:
Generally, landlords will be held liable in the event the rented property has an unsafe deck or balcony which resulted in an injury. Liability attaches on a landlord because the landlord has an obligation to timely inspect, correct the defects, and warn the tenants regarding possible dangers.
Buses are common carriers because they are in the business of transporting people or property for a fee. However, there are other factors used to determine if in fact the entity is a common carrier. These factors include the following:
Common carrier responsibilities ensure the safety of passengers as well as others that are sharing the road. Some examples of common carrier responsibilities include:
It is a common issue both for ordinary citizens and public figures, as well as companies to suffer harm to their reputation. California law allows them to sue for compensation of such damages. The law classifies the damages to reputation into several groups, which include:
Defamation is the spread of false statements, which is done to cause damage to one's reputation. Slander is the disclosure of such statements verbally and libel is such disclosure, which is done in writing.
The elements a plaintiff must establish to successfully sue a third party for defamation are the following:
Car accidents, unfortunately, happen every day and cause damages to both the vehicle leading to negative economic consequences to drivers but also their life and health. Car accidents are caused by different reasons such as hydroplane car accidents, accidents involving elderly drivers, and ordinary accidents happening because of the negligence of the drivers. One of the types of car accidents is defective tire accidents.
Manufacturing defects are related to such issues, which, arising during production, make the tire differ from particular specifications.
Design defects are considered to be in place if the tire doesn't perform as safely as it can be expected by an ordinary customer and place risk of danger on the latter.
In the case of the manufacturer, the designer does not provide instructions, safety warnings to the use of the tires and lead them to cause damages, it is considered that the tire had a warning defect.
Getting compensation for medical bills and expenses is the first thing that comes to anyone's mind after an suffering injuries from an auto accident. Usually, the at fault party responsible for the accident or the injuries should be liable for your medical expenses. However, they do not usually pay compensation immediately after the accident. To better understand the medical bill's compensation process, let's examine it part by part.
As discussed, the liable party or their insurer is responsible for your medical bills, but they typically don't compensate immediately. If you're waiting for a settlement or trial, your insurance company—private or government—can pay your bills. However, there are also common causes, when the injured party does not have health insurance.
The legal regulations allow giving discount or payment plans to uninsured parties or to any person "whose income does not exceed 350% of federal poverty level" Another option is "medical lien". It lets the healthcare provider receive payment from the personal injury case's judgment or settlement. This mechanism lets the patient pay after resolving the case. However, few hospitals or medical organizations will agree to this scheme, as they risk not receiving payment if the case fails. This scheme can also be risky for you as if you do not succeed with your case, you shall be liable for the remaining part of the expenses. If you have insurance but doubt whether you should use it or give a medical lien, it is recommended to use the insurance. If you use it, the medical help providers cannot charge you in full rate, exceeding your contract rate. Also, in the case of insurance, you have more options for healthcare providers to choose from. To sum up, choose your insurance unless you lack it or your insurance doesn't cover the services you need.
While a swimming pool is one of the best places to enjoy your weekend, it can become a risk for you and also the owner of the pool if an drowning accident happens.
You can file a lawsuit for the drowning accident in case the swimming pool does not comply with the safety requirements of the state or in case the lifeguards were negligent and, as the result of such negligence, the accident happened. The owner of the pool can also be liable in case the lifeguard it hired was not qualified for the performance of job duties.
Upon filing a lawsuit for negligence arising out of a drowning accident in California the Plaintiff is required to prove the following:
CCPC 193.8 states that: "An adult, who is the registered owner of a motor vehicle or in possession of a motor vehicle, shall not relinquish possession of the vehicle to a minor for the purpose of driving if the following conditions exist: (1) The adult owner or person in possession of the vehicle knew or reasonably should have known that the minor was intoxicated at the time possession was relinquished. (2) A petition was sustained, or the minor was convicted of a violation of Section 23103 as specified in Section 23103.5, 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code or a violation of Section 191.5 or subdivision (a) of Section 192.5. (3) The minor does not otherwise have a lawful right to possession of the vehicle."
Some possible defenses to negligent entrustment include:
Additionally, one can argue that the car owner was not aware that the driver (who allegedly caused the accident) was not a reasonably safe driver due to having a clean driving record and possessing a valid driver's license.
While you can't control the actions of every driver on the road, you can take steps to protect yourself from potential negligent entrustment claims:
If you have been injured in an accident caused by someone driving a vehicle they were negligently entrusted with, or if you are a vehicle owner facing a negligent entrustment claim, it is crucial to seek experienced legal counsel. At KAASS LAW, our skilled attorneys can:
The concept and doctrine of negligent entrustment show a big key in the responsibility of the vehicle owner. By understanding this legal concept and taking action towards safety, both vehicle owners and those injured by negligently entrusted vehicles can navigate the complexities of California law. Contact KAASS LAW today for a consultation to discuss your specific situation and learn how we can help. Alternatively, to know more about negligence, especially gross negligence in California, KAASS LAW can offer guidance.
If someone suffers an injury in a horse-riding accident, they can seek compensation for the following:
The statute of limitation for filing a civil lawsuit in a horse-riding accident is 2 years.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a horse-riding accident, we invite you to contact KAASS LAW at (310) 943-1171 for a free consultation and case review.
In some cases, the determination of liability may depend on the specific relationship between the parties involved in the incident. For example, if an injury occurs during a paid horseback riding lesson, the instructor has a duty to ensure the safety of the client. Failure to fulfill this duty may result in the company being held liable for negligence. In addition, a signed waiver of liability does not always exempt the defendant from legal consequences. In California, courts look at the circumstances of the case. Especially if the defendant's conduct goes beyond ordinary negligence and approaches gross negligence. Therefore, with a signed waiver, an injured person can still file a lawsuit.
To successfully bring a negligence claim, four key elements must be proven:
In the case of horseback riding, such duties may include:
It is important to gather evidence as soon as possible after an accident. Such as:
You may also need the opinion of equine or veterinary experts. To confirm that there is a defect in the equipment or that the animal is unfit for use.
In addition to economic losses, the injured party is entitled to compensation for:
The court may consider the severity of the injuries, the length of recovery, and the impact on personal activities.
If you have been injured in an equestrian accident, it is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible. Contact KAASS LAW at 844-522-7752 for a free consultation. We will analyze the details of your case and explain your legal rights and options.
Products become defective when there is something wrong with them, which can cause unwanted side effects or illnesses. Defects in dermal fillers can lead to extremely serious reactions to the face, such as blindness, stroke, and vision abnormalities. Furthermore, the risks associated with unapproved uses of dermal fillers by the FDA or unapproved products may be more severe.
Individuals can protect themselves from potential injuries by not purchasing dermal filler products online. Oftentimes, such products can be counterfeit or not approved for use in the United States. In some cases, the FDA may not have reviewed and or approved the use of certain dermal fillers to be used for all locations of the body.
If you have been hurt by a dermal filler and would like to seek legal representation, contact our Los Angeles personal injury attorney at (310) 943-1171 for a consultation. Our attorneys evaluate the details of your case and will let you know what to expect and how you can proceed forward. https://youtu.be/FHdO-1AqecM
The contractors/builders' liability generally attaches if the deck or balcony was not constructed in a manner required under regulations and existing standards. If you are injured on the property belong to a third party, you can sue the:
Particularly, to sue the defendant for the injuries sustained due to a balcony or deck collapse, the injured party must prove that:
As mentioned, sometimes the party, who is liable, is the building contractor. The liability of the building contractor is hard to prove but it is still possible by engaging professional experts in your case by bringing expert reports or using their statements as evidence.
In order the prove that the property owner knew or should have know about the defective condition of the balcony or deck, the plaintiff can provide evidence showing the negligence of the property owner in the following ways:
A plaintiff may seek compensation arising out of a injury sustained due a collapse of a balcony or deck. Examples of such compensation may include the following:
In the event a death occurred due to a balcony or deck collapse, a party may file a lawsuit to seek compensation for a family member by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a balcony or deck collapse, we invite you to contact our Los Angeles Personal Injury attorney at (310) 943-1171 for a free consultation and case review. Our attorneys will evaluate the details of your case and advise you on what to expect and how you can proceed.
Yes, a bus driver may be held liable should they fail to observe local laws. The idea here is that when an individual becomes a passenger in a bus, the passenger is essentially putting themselves under the bus driver’s control. Thus, a bus driver has a responsibility to provide the highest degree of care and safety to its passengers regardless if riding for a short or long trip.
In order to successfully prove liability of a bus driver in California, you must prove that negligence occurred. Proving negligence of a common carrier usually means showing that the bus driver violated the law. Additionally, negligence can be shown should the driver fail to act reasonable in using care and diligence expected of a cautious bus operator.
Bus accidents may cause severe and long-term injuries as well as cause other damages that may impact ones life. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bus accident, contact our Los Angeles bus accident lawyer at (310) 943-1171 for a free consutlation. Our personal injury attorneys can provide you with any sort of legal assistance you require.
Under California law defamation is "per se" is statements that are damaging on its face without the need of further explanations. An example of defamation per se includes for instance a false accusation that someone committed a crime or is unfit to practice in their particular profession. In case defamation is "per quod", the victim shall prove that the spread of a false statement causes damages. Examples of such damages can include lost profits, employment, negative consequences, a decrease of customers for a business, etc.
Under California law, public disclosure of private facts is a form of invasion of privacy. To get compensation for damages, the plaintiff must prove the following:
An example of public disclosure of private facts include publishing statements of your best friend's diagnosis or some intimate content to public media without his/her consent. The court decides the existence of a "private act" on a case-by-case basis, based on what an ordinary person considers private and offensive if disclosed. Physical persons have the right to sue for such kind of harm in one year from the date of disclosure.
Business disparagement refers to:
For example, a supermarket publishes information in a public newspaper that its competitor’s products do not comply with the applicable governmental standards.
A corporation has 2 years to file an action for compensation of disparagement after the statements' publishing and dissemination. The plaintiff shall prove the existence of the following elements to seek compensation of damages:
The dissemination of such statements can be conducted both orally and in writing. You can prove the loss of income in business disparagement by showing invoices, tax returns, and bank account statements of the company. For harm to reputation victims mostly recover such damages as:
California law provides victims of defamation not only the right to recover damages, but also other remedies. In addition to economic damages, plaintiffs may seek compensation for emotional distress. This includes:
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded. These are awarded to punish the guilty party and to deter similar actions in the future. However, in order for the court to grant such a claim, the plaintiff must prove malice on the part of the defendant. In addition to monetary damages, the court may award injunctive relief. This means that the defendant must stop spreading false information. It is important to note that defamation is especially important in the digital media age. Lies posted on the Internet can spread quickly and cause significant damage. Therefore, if such publications are identified, it is important to contact a qualified attorney immediately.
If your or a loved one's believe that you have suffered defamation by a third party we invite you to contact our Los Angeles Personal Injury attorneys at KAASS LAW (310) 943-1171 for a free consultation.
As discussed above, if it is believed that the case of an accident arose out of a defective tire, the liable party of said accident may include:
Generally, to prove that the defect of a tire was the reason for the accident, an qualified expert would testify in the form of expert testimony. Common examples that the expert would need to testify to includes:
You shall also prove that you used the tire in a foreseeable manner and the defects occurred before your use of the vehicle. Expert's opinion shall also assist you with this evidence.
Family members are entitled to file such lawsuits and receive compensation. The family members having such rights are:
Other common losses
Compensation in a defective tire lawsuit can include the following:
The defendant can bring different arguments supporting his position, such as that the tires were affected not by his fault but by your negligent use. For this reason, it is essential to receive professional assistance and consult an experienced attorney.
If you or a loved one has been in a defective tire accident, contact our Los Angeles Personal Injury attorney at (310) 943-1171 for a free consultation and case review. Our attorneys will evaluate the details of your case and let you know what to expect and how you can proceed.
Medical expenses after a car accident can include a wide range of services. For example, they may include not only the initial hospitalization, but also subsequent recovery:
In the case of serious injuries, there may also be long-term costs, including:
In a personal injury case, it is possible to seek compensation for anticipated future medical needs. To do this, you will need to provide a doctor's opinion as to the length and cost of treatment. For example, if the injured person will need surgery six months after the accident, his or her attorney can include that amount in the claim.
In such a case, the injured person has the right to file a civil lawsuit against the driver or other responsible parties personally. Alternatively, you can use your underinsured motorist coverage, if available. However, this can be difficult in practice if the defendant does not have enough assets to cover the claim.
The statute of limitations in California personal injury cases is two years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to compensation. It is important to start the process early in order to preserve all evidence and file a timely claim.
Insurance companies have subrogation rights for a personal injury claim. Subrogation right means that your insurance company can recover your medical expenses from the party who was liable for the injuries. Your insurer shall also have the right to sue the liable party on your behalf.
Claiming compensation for medical expenses is not an easy process. You still need a professional attorney to assist you with evaluations of your case, negotiations for a larger settlement. Professional legal assistance is crucial if you seek compensation for pre-existing injuries that worsened as a result of the accident.
The attorneys at KAASS LAW have extensive experience handling auto accident and medical expense cases. We can help you accurately calculate all of your costs and properly file a claim for compensation. Call us at (310) 943-1171 to schedule a free consultation and start protecting your rights.
Family members can file a lawsuit, such as:
The above-mentioned family members can sue if the accident does not kill the victim but leaves him unable to protect his rights.
While filing the lawsuit, you can seek compensation of:
In case you file a lawsuit for the wrongful death of a family member, you can seek compensation of:
In case you had a drowning accident, try to gather evidence, as:
In California, pool owners are required by law to keep their facilities safe. This means installing:
And other items required by law. For example, the California Swimming Pool Safety Act requires residential properties with swimming pools to install safety barriers. Failure to do so can make the owner liable for damages. Especially if the victim is a child. Failure to comply with safety standards may be considered a failure to exercise due care. This opens up the possibility of a lawsuit.
In legal terms, negligence means that the defendant failed to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. In a drowning case, this could mean that:
Even if the victim was on private property without permission, the owner can be held liable. But only if it is proven that he or she knew of the danger and failed to take appropriate action.
If the drowning occurred at a municipal pool or on property managed by a government entity, special procedures may apply. In California, to file a lawsuit against a public entity, you must first file a government claim. Within six months of the accident. Failure to meet this deadline may result in the loss of your right to sue.
Even in case you signed a waiver for liabilities, or the defendant argued that there is the "assumption of risk"-an inherent risk present while swimming, you can still expect to receive compensation if you have an experienced attorney. We invite you to contact KAASS LAW firm at (310) 943-1171 for a free consultation and case review by a Glendale personal injury attorney.