When bringing a case to court, it is incredibly important to understand the fine details of the process of filing a lawsuit. One of the most vital aspects of any lawsuit is the statute of limitations that govern it. To put it simply the statute of limitations is the timeline in which a plaintiff can sue a defendant. For the sake of this article, we will be reviewing the statute of limitations to sue for a slip and fall accident at an airport. If you or a loved one has suffered a slip and fall injury as a result of the negligence or misconduct of the airport staff, you may want to consult one of our skilled attorneys to help guide you through the often complex process of filing a lawsuit. At Normandie Law Firm, one of the top-rated law firms in the city, our accomplished attorneys with experience handling airport injury claims are committed to ensuring that you get the compensation you deserve. If you have any questions after reading this article, please feel free to contact our law offices for a free consultation from one of our qualified attorneys with experience in airport injury cases.
Airport Slip and Fall Accidents
Airports are notorious for the hectic atmosphere, and the vast distances that sit between terminals. It is quite easy to see why slip or trip and fall accidents are so common at airports. In some cases, these accidents occur as a result of simple a mishap, but sometimes they can occur as a result of the negligent procedure of the airport staff and management. If this is the case, the victim has every right to sue the airport for the damages they had sustained on their property. Bulleted below are some of the busiest airports in California where a slip or trip and fall accident can occur:
- Los Angeles International Airport
- San Francisco International Airport
- San Diego International Airport
- San Jose International Airport
- John Wayne International Airport
- Sacramento International Airport
- LA/Ontario International Airport
- Bob Hope Airport
- Long Beach Airport
- Palm Springs Airport
- Fresno International Airport
- Santa Barbara International Airport
Slip or trip and fall accidents are some of the most common accidents that can occur at an airport. These accidents are usually caused as a result of wet floor spills, poor lighting, and damaged or hazardous floor conditions. Victims of slip or trip and fall accidents can sustain some truly devastating injuries. Listed below are some of the injuries that a victim can sustain from a slip or trip and fall accident:
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Hip fractures
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Other sprains and fractures
Any injury that is caused by the failure of airport protocols imposed by staff or management, can result in a damaging lawsuit that can be filed against the airport. However, there are a number of complicated nuances that are quite difficult for a victim to manage on their own. For this reason, it is incredibly important that victims seek appropriate legal representation before suing an airport for their injuries. In most cases, airport defendants are going to have the resources to employ a whole host of legal experts well learned on the details of your case, and will be willing to dispute your claim at all costs. A skilled attorney who has experience in airport injury cases can assist you in not just fighting for you, but helping you navigate the details that come with your lawsuit. One of such detail, which was mentioned prior, is the statute of limitations.
Statute of Limitations For Filing an Airport Accident in California
One of the most important details to take note of when filing an airport slip and fall accident lawsuit are the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is defined as the period of limitation a plaintiff or victim has for bringing certain legal actions to court. If a plaintiff fails to follow the statute of limitations for their lawsuit accordingly there is a high chance that they could find their case dismissed from court entirely. The statute of limitations varies from state to state, and changes depending on the type of lawsuit that is being filed. For instance, if you are from Montana but injured yourself at LAX and wanted to file a slip and fall lawsuit you would have to adhere to the slip and fall statute of limitations for the state of California, not the state of Montana. This also applies to types of different lawsuits; for instance, the statute of limitations for a slip and fall accident is likely going to be very different from the statute of limitations for an assault and battery lawsuit. An expert lawyer experienced in airport injury cases will be able to give you additional information.
The Statute of Limitations in the state of California rules that a victim or plaintiff has a two-year deadline to take legal action for their slip and fall injury. For the most part these laws determining a deadline for legal action are set in stone. However, there are some exceptions to these rules. These exceptions are as follows:
- Defendant Absent from State: If the defendant is absent from the state of California between the start and end date of the statute of limitations (SOL) , there is a high chance that the SOL can be extended by the length of time the plaintiff was absent from the state.
- Minor Plaintiff/Claimant: If the plaintiff is a minor (under the age of eighteen) the statute of limitations do not begin until the plaintiff turns eighteen or is emancipated by court order.
- Mental Disability/Incompetence: If the plaintiff suffers from some mental disability or a form of incompetence the statute of limitations can be suspended for as long as the mental incompetence continues
- Prison: If the plaintiff has been incarcerated, the statute of limitation is suspended either until the person is released from prison, or for two years into their sentence.
- Restitution Order: If a plaintiff comes under an order of restitution as a condition of probation with respect to a specific act giving rise to their liability then the statute of limitations is suspended during the time the order of restitution is in effect.
- Death: If either the plaintiff or defendant dies before legal action can be taken, the statute of limitations is suspended. If the plaintiff dies, then legal action must be commenced six months after the plaintiff’s death. If the defendant dies then the action must be commenced within one year after the date of death.
These are just some of the common exceptions of the statute of limitations in the state of California. The best way to know for sure how the statute of limitations influences your lawsuit is to seek an attorney with expertise in airport injury lawsuits.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help
Having an experienced attorney on your side can make the difference between filing a successful lawsuit and having your case dismissed from court entirely. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries from a slip and fall accident at an airport, you may be entitled to collect significant monetary compensation. At Normandie Law Firm, our top personal injury attorneys can guide you through the often complicated process of building your case and bringing it to court. While we are based in Los Angeles, our experienced lawyers practice in Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Fresno, Bakersfield and throughout the state of California.
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: As a show this commitment to you and your case we offer our clients the benefits of a zero fee guarantee policy. Under our zero fee policy, all clients don’t pay for our services until their case is won. If you feel in need of a second opinion, second opinion case reviews are also free under this policy. Call now for a free consultation by one of our skilled attorneys, and we can guide you down the path of receiving proper compensation for your damages.
