The idea of a porch, balcony, or deck collapsing is not something that goes through your mind on a regular basis. However, these accidents do happen as a result of negligence by one or more parties. The injuries you suffer can be traumatic enough on their own, but many victims also struggle with PTSD and other mental health issues. They also face considerable difficulties due to medical bills, lost wages from work, and other financial constraints.
A collapsed deck injury attorney is essential when you are a victim of careless or reckless conduct by someone else. Our law firm will investigate your accident, review your medical records, and take other steps to build a solid case. Then, we will go after the liable entities and fight for the compensation you are entitled to. To schedule a free consultation, contact the Los Angeles collapsing porch and deck accident attorneys of Normandie Law Firm.
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Accidents Caused by Collapsing Decks, Balconies, and Porches
Structures like balconies and decks are built to last for many years and hold a significant amount of weight. Unfortunately, these structures may not be built with a certain level of quality control and adherence to safety measures. As a result, people may suffer a myriad of injuries from a porch, deck, or balcony collapse at their home or workplace, restaurant, mall, hotel, and many other places.
In order to file a personal injury claim, you must have evidence of bodily harm that resulted from the accident, which is why immediate medical care is essential. Seeing a doctor right away can also minimize the possibility of severe complications and death from injuries, such as:
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Neck and spinal cord injuries
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Broken bones and fractures
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Puncturing or rupturing of internal organs
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Traumatic brain injury
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Soft tissue injuries (torn ligaments, muscles, and tendons)
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Deep lacerations and puncture wounds from broken wood pieces and other parts of the deck
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Paralysis from extensive nerve damage
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Blindness and other forms of visual impairment
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Hearing problem or complete hearing loss
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Fatality
Wrongful Death Claims for Structural Collapse Accidents
Decks and balconies elevate people off the ground, and depending on the location, a structural collapse can cause the victim to fall down and suffer injuries that are serious enough to cause death. If you lost a spouse, immediate family member, or registered domestic partner to one of these accidents, you may be eligible for compensation from a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of legal action can help you recover some or all of the damages listed below:
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Cost of funeral / burial / cremation services
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Loss of expected income and benefits
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Pain and suffering
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Medical costs associated with the victim’s care up until the date of death
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Loss of consortium
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Legal fees
Determining Liability for a Collapsing Deck Incident
When structures like balconies and decks collapse, a thorough investigation is needed to determine who is liable for the accident. Many of these cases are incredibly complex, and liability may be shared by multiple individuals and entities. In order to prove that someone is liable for an accident, you must establish the following:
- Duty – the injured party (plaintiff) was owed a duty of care by the negligent entity (defendant). For example, a construction company has a duty to ensure that the balconies, porches, and decks they install on a building have met all the required safety standards.
- Breach – The defendant breached their duty of care to the plaintiff by failing to take certain actions or doing something that created a dangerous situation
- Causation – the defendant’s careless or reckless conduct caused injuries and/or property damage to the plaintiff
- Damages – due to the harm they suffered, the plaintiff incurred damages, such as medical expenses and loss of income from their job.
Many victims and families run into legal complications early on and agree to a low settlement because they are unaware of what else they can do. Legal representation from a skilled and aggressive lawyer is the key to obtaining a fair amount of compensation and moving forward with your life.
Time Limit to File a Lawsuit
No matter who is responsible for the accident, legal cases have a statute of limitations, which is a set amount of time that you are given to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. In California, you normally have a time span of 2 years from the date of the accident, unless you meet special circumstances that allow for additional time. But these are unusual situations that will not apply to most injury victims, so the key is to file an accident claim as soon as possible and ensure that your right to compensation is protected.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help
A lawsuit isn’t just about money, though recovering your finances is undoubtedly important after a serious accident. But taking legal action holds the guilty party responsible and sends a message to others that a failure to exercise reasonable care will not be tolerated.
While you are not required to obtain legal representation, it’s very difficult to achieve a successful outcome in these cases without a personal injury lawyer by your side. Our law firm is dedicated to you and your interests from day one, and we will not rest until you receive the funds you are entitled to.
As the victim, you should not have to pay for a lawyer that specializes in porch, balcony or deck collapse accidents. We accept all cases on contingency to ensure that all legal fees are charged to the defendant. That means the payment you receive from an insurance claim or lawsuit includes our expenses. If we fail to bring you compensation, you will not be asked to cover a single penny in legal fees.
Please take this opportunity to contact our office and learn about the ways we can assist you. We look forward to speaking with you during a free, private case review.
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