About 2.8 million children are treated in emergency rooms across the U.S. for fall-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, falls are the top cause of non-fatal injuries among children of all ages. While this happens on the playing field and at home, falls at schools are all too common.
Here at Salamati Law, we believe parents deserve to feel confident in their children’s safety. If your child was injured at school, college, or a university in California, you can rely on us to clearly explain your legal rights and options during your no-obligation, free consultation.
Common causes of slip and fall accidents at schools
A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere, but schools can be particularly hazardous when they aren’t maintained properly. In the cafeteria, the staff may fail to promptly wipe up spills. A slip and fall on the stairs on a college campus may be caused by inadequate lighting or the lack of handrails. Other possible causes include the following:
- Debris and clutter in hallways and classroom floors
- Torn carpeting and loose floorboards
- Inappropriately high thresholds
- Loose electrical cords on the floor
- Potholes on sidewalks and parking lots
If your child falls at school, we can evaluate your case to determine if the school may be held liable for negligence.
Statutes of limitations on slip and fall lawsuits
It’s critically important not to wait too long to seek legal advice. When you consult a Los Angeles school injury lawyer at Salamati Law, one of the first things we’ll do is consider whether the statute of limitations has expired yet. For most types of personal injury lawsuits in California, the plaintiff has two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. However, you may have even less time.
If your child were injured at a public school or university, your claim would have to be filed no later than six months. At that point, the public school would have 45 days to respond. The school will investigate and may decide to settle. Otherwise, the claim will be rejected. If this happens, it enables you to have your slip and fall attorney in Los Angeles file a lawsuit in civil court.
What to do after a slip and fall at school
It’s essential to make sure that the accident has been reported to school authorities. Even if a staff member calls you to notify you that your child was injured, you shouldn’t assume that an accident report has already been filed. This is also essential if your child is a young adult who slipped and fell on a college campus. They may not know that they need to file a report. Always get a copy of it for your records.
Of course, your child will also need to see a doctor right away, even if the injuries appear minor at first. Health problems can be more severe than initially thought.
Additionally, our lawyers strongly recommend that you maintain documentation of all interactions with school officials regarding the accident. You should also keep careful notes regarding your child’s recovery, including the extent to which the injuries interfere with their daily life.
Contact a Los Angeles personal injury attorney today
Any school accident can potentially lead to severe injuries that may keep your child out of class while they recover. If your child was injured at school or on a college campus, you need trusted, results-oriented legal guidance. Contact a Los Angeles personal injury attorney at Salamati Law to discuss your legal rights and options.
Our compassionate team will help you navigate the legal system as we work to secure maximum compensation for your family. Call our law firm in Southern California today to request a free initial consultation, during which we will review your case and answer your questions about filing a slip and fall lawsuit.
