There are many conditions throughout the course of our lives that can cause us to slip and fall. A good deal of these accidents are beyond anyone’s control, but others happen due to someone else’s negligence. Because of the high potential for serious injuries from a slip and fall, property owners are obligated under California laws to inspect, clean, and maintain their premises on a regular basis. This includes taking care of plumbing issues, like leaking or broken sinks that can lead to a slip and fall accident.
If you fell on someone else’s property due to a leaking or broken sink, please get help right away for your injuries. Then, contact our law firm to learn about your legal options from a slip and fall accident attorney.
Causes of Leaking Sink Slip and Fall Accidents
There are various reasons behind why a sink breaks down and starts to leak water. One of the most common issues has to do with the drain pipe or sink trap, which are connected by metal or PVC pipes. The threading inside the joints of these pipes can wear down and create tiny gaps where water can leak through and end up on the floor. Problems with the water supply line or valves can also cause leaks that result in slip and fall accidents. In some cases, the inner parts of the sink or faucet, like the valve seat, may be corroded to the point where the area between the spout and faucet continually leaks water.
Most causes of a broken sink can be identified easily with regular inspections and maintenance. Furthermore, these problems are generally inexpensive to repair if you catch the issue early on. Unfortunately, many property owners fail to take these basic measures, which makes them liable if someone has a slip and fall due to a defective sink. If you are one of these unsuspecting victims, don’t wait on the compensation you deserve. A California slip and fall lawyer is waiting to speak with you, so please give us call as soon as possible.
Injuries from a Leaking Sink
A leaking sink in bathrooms at places like schools, hospitals, and office buildings can cause extremely serious injuries. People can also be harmed from a broken sink in kitchens at restaurants, hotels, rental spaces, and workplaces. Injuries from a leaking sink include, but are not limited to:
- Head injuries, including concussion and traumatic brain injuries
- Damage to the eyes
- Broken nose and other facial bones
- Broken / missing teeth
- Shoulder fracture / dislocated shoulder
- Broken collarbone
- Rib fracture
- Hip fracture
- Neck injury (whiplash)
- Spinal cord damage
- Coccyx fracture (broken tailbone)
- Broken toes and fingers
- Broken bones in the hands, wrist, and feet
- Deep lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Dislocated / shattered kneecap
- Torn ACL / MCL
- Ankle sprain or fracture
- Permanent scarring
- Damage to the internal organs
- Paralysis
You may be tempted to hold off on seeing a doctor, but please get medical attention right away. By waiting, you increase the chance of aggravating your injuries and ending up with long-term or permanent complications. You will also compromise your chance of recovering maximum payment for your injuries. To ensure that you have the necessary evidence for an insurance claim or lawsuit, go to a hospital as soon as you can, or call 911 if you have serious injuries. Additionally, make sure to contact an attorney that’s experienced in slip and fall accident cases.
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Can I Sue the Property Owner for my Injuries?
If the sink that caused your accident was leaking or broken due to negligence by the owner or business, you may be able to sue them for monetary damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and emotional distress. But what does it mean when we say that a property owner is negligent? In general, negligence can be proven by establishing these four elements:
- As a legitimate visitor or guest on the premises, you were owed a duty of care by the property owner / manager.
- The store, restaurant, school, etc., failed in their duty of care by failing to take resolve a dangerous situation (for ex., fixing or replacing a leaking sink).
- The defendant’s negligence caused you harm in the form of bodily injuries, emotional trauma, and financial losses.
- Based on your harm and suffering, you are entitled to seek compensation from the defendant.
While this covers the basic elements you will need to show, a lawsuit for a slip and fall accident requires extensive evidence and thorough knowledge of the state’s premises liability laws. Our lawyers will build the strongest case possible for your accident and fight to recover the settlement you deserve.
How much can I get from a Leaking Sink Slip and Fall Lawsuit?
Most injury victims are curious to know the average value for slip and fall settlements, but in reality, the answer is not so simple. For one thing, the severity of one’s injuries and what they lose – financially and emotionally – as a result of their accident is different for each victim. Personal circumstances, like your age, pre-existing medical conditions, whether you have a family to support, also impact the amount of what can be recovered from a slip and fall accident case.
However, it’s a fact that slip and fall lawsuit values are often in the 6-figure range, especially if you slipped and fell on a commercial property, like a store, restaurant, or hotel. These cases may be worth around $345,000 to $750,000. Depending on the level of negligence by the defendant, as well as the severity of your injuries, the value of your case may exceed $1 million.
How long does it take to get Paid on these Cases?
Clearly, it’s essential to receive your settlement as fast as possible when you are struggling to recover from a slip and fall accident. Our goal is to take immediate action on your case and recover your payment within 6 months of filing the insurance claim. However, insurance companies are dealing with many claims at one time, so just hearing back from them in regards to a claim can take 3 to 6 weeks. Furthermore, it’s likely that they will try to get away with paying you as little as possible. This means we have to negotiate a settlement back and forth, which can extend your case timeline by 8 to 12 months. In the event that we need to prepare for a trial, it may be two or more years before your case is settled.
Is there a Time Limit to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit?
In California, you have two years from your accident date to file a slip and fall lawsuit against the liable party. An exception, known as the discovery rule, can be made if your injuries do not manifest right away. In that case, you have two years from the date you discovered the injury. There are a few other situations where an extension may be granted, but the courts are very strict when it comes to statute of limitations for a lawsuit. Most people who wait too long end up missing the two-year deadline, and lose the right to sue for their injuries. To ensure that your lawsuit is filed on time, contact Normandie Law Firm and speak with one of our attorneys.
Free Second Opinion
You may be in the middle of a lawsuit, but find yourself doubting your attorney’s experience or commitment to your case. This can be a confusing time for many litigants, who are afraid that changing lawyers will hurt their case. This is not necessarily true, as switching your lawyer can often help you settle your case faster. You may even discover that your case is worth more than what you were told. Still, firing your lawyer isn’t something you should do on a whim.
We can help you make the best choice for your needs during a free second opinion. This is a completely free consultation, where we can go over what’s been done of your case and whether your attorney is taking the right steps to recover your damages. Then, we will advise you on the steps we can take to resolve your claim and help you move forward with your life. You have no obligation to switch to one of our lawyers, but if you do, there is no upfront cost for any of our services. In addition, the transfer process is smooth and easy, as we do all the work of transferring your case to our law firm.
To schedule a free second opinion, simply give us a call at your earliest convenience.
Our Zero Fee Guarantee
Legal representation is the key to a successful slip and fall injury case, yet many people choose to go without it. Their biggest concern is legal fees, which is certainly understandable. Here at Normandie, you are offered a Zero fee guarantee from the moment you retain our law firm. That means we will cover the entire cost of your lawsuit and not make a single penny until we win your case. This way, you can focus on recovering from your injuries and taking care of your loved ones.
Our lawyers are here for you day and night, whether you are ready to start a slip and fall accident claim or wish to continue a pending lawsuit. Contact us today and schedule a free case evaluation.
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