Ceiling light fixtures come in all shapes and sizes, and they can be used in many types of environments including homes, workplaces, shopping malls, restaurants, and airports. Along with providing light, they add a decorative element to ceilings and walls, which you can’t achieve with a table or floor lamp. However, it’s essential that these lights are installed correctly, with the proper hardware and support systems. Afterwards, the fixtures must be checked for any signs of deterioration, breakage, or weakness that can cause the light fixture to fall.
A lot of businesses, homeowners, and other people in charge of a property fail to take these measures. Due to their negligence, many people end up with debilitating injuries from a falling object accident. Perhaps you have been injured by a falling ceiling light fixture, such as:
- Recessed lights (downlights)
- Spotlights
- Skylights
- Pendant lights
- Chandelier
- LED indirect lights
- LED strip lights
- Ceiling fan lights
- Track lighting
- Utility lights
If so, please take some time to learn about your rights and legal options from one of our attorneys. A falling light fixture can cause catastrophic injuries that can leave you with permanent health issues. You may be entitled to financial compensation from the property owner, but you must take action right away to ensure that you have a strong and solid case. Contact our law firm right away to schedule a free case evaluation.
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Liability for a Falling Object Accident
Determining who is liable for the injuries you’ve suffered depends on the exact cause of your accident. For example, did the ceiling light fixture fall off due to improper installation of the light? Were you injured by a broken light or another part of the fixture that fell off and struck you? Was there a problem with the light fixture that the property owner would have known about through regular inspections and maintenance?
These are all examples of negligence by the property owner, or those who are charged with taking care of the premises on the owner’s half. Either way, California’s premises liability laws generally hold the owner responsible in these situations. However, the liable entity for an accident may be the operators of the property, like a management company for an apartment building or shopping center. Another possibility is that the product manufacturer is at fault for a light fixture collapsing or falling off the ceiling. Defective parts, design flaws, and failure to provide clear instructions are examples of manufacturer negligence that may be involved in your accident.
These and many other considerations must be discussed right away with a lighting collapse lawyer to ensure that you hold the right parties accountable for your injuries. Call us today for a free case review if you’d like to learn more about the process of suing for a ceiling light fixture accident injury.
Possible Injuries from a Falling Ceiling Light Fixture
A lighting fixture can lead to serious injuries all over your body, depending on its weight, size, shape, and the height from which it fell. However, even light fixtures at relatively low heights can be extremely dangerous if it’s a large fixture, like a chandelier. The possibility of lifelong damage is even greater if the victim is a child, a senior citizen, or someone with pre-existing health conditions. Below are some examples of injuries that you can sustain from a lighting collapse accident:
- Injuries to the head – skull fracture, concussion, and brain damage
- Deep lacerations (from glass, sharp ends, etc.)
- Burn injuries
- Permanent scars
- Hip fracture
- Neck injury
- Dislocated joints
- Spinal cord damage
- Tearing of the ligaments, tendons, and muscles
- Nerve damage (loss of function)
Please go to a hospital right away, as some of these injuries may not seem that serious at first. Proper diagnosis and immediate treatment will help you maximize your chances of recovery. You will also need medical records to file an accident claim against the property owner. The sooner you obtain these after an accident, the better your chances of receiving every penny you deserve from the defendant.
Average Case Value of a Ceiling Light Fixture Injury Claim
Due to the severe injuries that are associated with falling objects, these cases often result in high settlement awards. Based on the degree of injury and the impact on your life, a realistic case value may be around $125,000 to $750,000. If the level of harm is severe enough to cause lifelong damage (paralysis, for example), case values can range from $1.5 million to over $5 million. Of course, there are situations where the injuries are relatively minor, which means a settlement of $15,000 to $50,000 may be an adequate amount. As you can see, there is no universal dollar amount that applies to falling object cases in general, so give us a call if you’d like to find out what you are entitled to from a personal injury claim.
How Much Time do I have to File my Lawsuit?
The deadline to sue for a falling object accident is two years from the date of injury. In most cases, this is the date of the accident itself, but some injuries are not diagnosed until a later time. Thus, it’s possible to start the statute of limitations from the date of discovery. Either way, you should not wait to consult an attorney, who will take the necessary actions to initiate the claims process. The two-year period is absolute in most cases, which means you will most likely lose the right to sue altogether if you exceed the statute of limitations.
Timeline to Settle a Falling Object Injury Case
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer we can give when clients ask how long it takes to settle one of these cases. When we look at all the claims we’ve handled over the years, recovering a falling object accident settlement can take around 30 days to one or more years. As a general rule, the greater the injury, the longer it will take to achieve a settlement on the client’s behalf. Then again, some owners (major businesses, for example) are eager to avoid negative attention and will make us a fair offer within the first few months. In short, there are many factors that can affect your case timeline, which we are happy to discuss with you during a free consultation.
We Provide Free Second Opinions
Do you have a pending injury claim that you have questions or concerns about? Could you use a second opinion from another law firm? In that case, don’t hesitate to give us a call and schedule a free second opinion consultation. A premises liability lawyer is ready to evaluate your claim and provide you with solutions that can put your case on the path to success. However, our job is to provide you with an honest assessment and leave the decision making up to you. If you’d like to see us for a second opinion at no cost to you, contact us as soon as you can.
Speak to a Ceiling Light Fixture Injury Accident Attorney
Most people are not prepared for the costs of recovering from an accident, or dealing with the physical and emotional impact of an unexpected injury. That’s why it’s imperative to learn about your legal options and take action against the party that’s responsible for your injuries. Our lawyers have been fighting for the rights of accident victims for many years, and we are more than ready to recover the compensation you deserve.
You have enough to deal with right now, and there’s no way we would ask you to choose between paying your bills and hiring an experienced attorney. All clients at our law firm receive a Zero Fee Guarantee from the very first consultation. That means you are not responsible for any legal fees, which comes to us from the property owner as a part of your settlement award. In essence, we don’t make a cent unless you receive payment, so there is no risk to your finances at any point.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so call us at your earliest convenience to speak with a lawyer experienced in falling object accident cases.
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