Seasoned Culver City Attorneys For Catastrophic Falls

Accidents are unpredictable, especially slips and falls. If a person goes out for a grocery run, or if a patient tries to get out of bed, no one expects them to fall and injure themselves. However, many of these accidents are preventable. There’s a higher chance of a patient falling due to faulty bed rails or inattentive medical staff. Likewise, the risk of a customer slipping on a wet floor in a store increases if there’s no adequate warning or sign.

Some falls, at best, can lead to painful bruising. At worst, they can result in catastrophic injuries, from concussions and broken bones to spinal cord injuries. At Steven D. Davis Law Group, APC, we understand the impact these accidents can have on your life. Since 2014, we have provided compassionate and fearless advocacy to injured California residents. With decades of trial experience, our attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation you need to recover and move forward.

What Qualifies As A Catastrophic Injury?

California law considers an injury “catastrophic” if it has a significant and long-term impact on the victim’s life. This means that a catastrophic injury often results in permanent disability, disfigurement or any other impairment that reduces a person’s quality of life.

Common examples of catastrophic injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): A fall can cause the head to strike a hard surface, leading to concussions, contusions or more severe brain damage. These impacts disrupt normal brain function and can have lasting effects.
• Spinal cord injuries: Falling can compress, fracture or dislocate vertebrae in the spine. This damages the spinal cord, often resulting in partial or complete paralysis below the injury site.
• Severe fractures: The force of impact from a fall can shatter bones, especially in vulnerable areas like the hips or skull. Such fractures often require extensive surgery and long recovery times.

A catastrophic injury often requires extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. This, in turn, can lead to overwhelming medical bills, on top of lost wages and earning capacity if the injury prevents a person from working.

If the accident was due to negligence in a medical facility, unsafe property conditions or elder care neglect, taking legal action can help secure the financial coverage you need. As your catastrophic injury attorneys, we will advocate for the full compensation you deserve.

Who Is Liable For Catastrophic Falls In California?

Who is at fault depends on where and how the fall happened. In California, several parties may be responsible for falls linked to:

• Unsafe places: Property owners, businesses and even government entities are responsible for keeping their premises safe for visitors. This means fixing or providing ample warning about any hazards on the property, such as wet floors, poor lighting or broken handrails. If an owner knew about a risk and did not fix it, they might be liable.
• Medical negligence in facilities: Hospitals, clinics and other health care providers owe a duty of care to their patients. This includes checking and mitigating any fall risks. If a fall happens due to medication errors or a lack of staffing, the facility can be held responsible.
• Neglect in elder care and nursing homes: Many families entrust their loved ones’ care to nursing homes. Much like hospitals and clinics, these facilities have a duty to protect their vulnerable residents. If a catastrophic fall happens due to understaffing or the failure to create or follow a fall prevention plan, the facility or its caregivers may be held accountable.

In some cases, another person or company creates a dangerous condition. This could involve a contractor who leaves hazards, or a maintenance company failing to address a known issue. If their actions or inactions directly contributed to a fall, they may be liable.

If you are planning to take legal action for your or your loved one’s catastrophic injury, proving liability is key. This means proving that the responsible party had a duty to keep the area safe and that they failed in that duty. This failure must have directly caused the fall and injuries.

Your Rights After A Catastrophic Fall

California follows a comparative negligence system. This means that even if you or your loved one was partially at fault, you still have the right to pursue compensation for your damages. Under state law, you have around two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. However, for injuries resulting from medical malpractice, you must file within one year of discovering the injury or three years from the date of injury, whichever comes first.

As your lawyers, we will aggressively investigate all liable parties. We will also work to minimize any claims of shared fault, advocating for the maximum compensation possible. We will also negotiate with insurance companies and, if needed, file a lawsuit on your behalf.

Your Advocates In Catastrophic Fall Cases

At Steven D. Davis Law Group, APC, we are known for fierce, tenacious advocacy. Our reputation in Culver City and the rest of Los Angeles County is built on unwavering commitment and effective legal representation. Catastrophic fall cases are often challenging, especially with insurance companies. We take great care in choosing the cases we take, ensuring that every client receives our full, dedicated attention and resources.

Every client works directly with one of our experienced lawyers. Our founding attorney, Steven D. Davis, brings 46 years of legal insight to your case, including time as a district attorney and over 150 tried cases. We will meticulously build your case, gather strong evidence and fight tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable.

Get Legal Guidance You Can Trust: Call Us Today

When property owners and nursing homes could’ve prevented the accident that led to your catastrophic injury, you have the right to seek accountability. To discuss your case and learn how we can help, call our Culver City office today at 310-570-2981 or connect with us through our website.