Funerals are occasions where family members and friends gather to mourn the loss of a loved one. However, it can also be a time to celebrate the person’s life and accomplishments, and to that end, funeral homes provide a valuable service. These businesses create the right space and atmosphere for a funeral service, and lighting equipment plays a vital role in this process. For example, overly bright and harsh lighting should be avoided, as it can make people feel uncomfortable. Funeral homes also use layers of lights though multiple pieces of equipment, like wall sconces, and HEX wash bars that emit colored lighting to create a warmer, more relaxing environment.
Regardless of the equipment that’s used, there are bound to be cords and cables that people can trip over. Some types of lighting equipment are also meant to be on the floor, and these should be out of the way or clearly marked so that people know exactly where they are. Unfortunately, owners and employees at a funeral home can sometimes lose track of these important details. And due to their negligence, it’s likely that someone will trip over a piece of lighting equipment, cable, or wire and end up with a serious injury.
Did you hurt yourself in a trip and fall accident while you were at a funeral? If so, the funeral home accident injury lawyers of DTLA are ready to advise you of your rights and legal options. Contact us at your earliest opportunity to schedule a free consultation.
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Trip and Fall Injuries due to Lighting Equipment at a Funeral Home
Many people wonder if a trip and fall accident is all that serious and whether a lawsuit is really necessary. But those who have been critically injured from a fall understand just how devastating these accidents can be. Frankly, it comes as no surprise that approximately 800,000 people are hospitalized every year just from falling down, according to the Center for Disease Control. These people are diagnosed with a variety of injuries, including:
- Sprains and fractures in the wrists, hands, and ankles
- Knee dislocation or fracture
- Dislocated shoulder
- Scars and other disfiguring injuries
- Torn ligaments and tendons
- Concussion and other types of brain injury
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord damage
- Back injuries, such as herniated disc
- Hip fracture
- Broken tailbone
- Ruptured spleen
- Paralysis
- Coma
Please don’t wait to see a doctor if you tripped and fell down at a funeral home. Some injuries, like brain damage, are not obvious right away. But testing at a hospital can spot abnormalities in your brain and give you the best chance of recovering from the injury. It’s also important to note that failing to seek medical treatment right away will compromise your right to monetary compensation. After all, you will need to prove that your injuries are a direct result of an accident at the funeral home. This is harder to establish if you wait days or weeks to go to a doctor after a fall-related accident.
For more information on what to do after you are injured at a funeral home, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are here 24/7 to answer your questions and provide guidance on your legal options.
Can I Sue a Funeral Home for a Trip and Fall Injury?
Your right to sue the funeral home depends on your ability to prove that you are legally entitled to compensation from the business owner. This is done by establishing the following elements, according to the concept of premises liability:
- You were on the property for a business or social reason, meaning you had a legitimate reason to be on the premises.
- The party you are suing (defendant) is the owner, renter, occupant, or manager of the property where you tripped and fell.
- You were injured as a direct result of negligence by the defendant, such as leaving out lighting equipment and related tools / accessories in high traffic areas, where someone is likely to trip over them.
- Due to the act of negligence by the defendant, you suffered one or more injuries.
- The injuries from your accident cause monetary losses, which you have the right to recover from the property / business owner.
These factors are straightforward in theory, but proving a case for monetary damages can be very difficult in real life. It’s more than likely that you will meet considerable resistance from the funeral home and their insurance company. To save themselves money, they may insist that you were careless and caused your own accident, or that you are faking the severity of your injuries and related complications.
Without an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side, it’s easy to be pressured into a low settlement after months of manipulation and stall tactics by the insurance company. As a result, you are likely to end up with an amount that’s inadequate for the harm you suffered. To protect your interests and receive the settlement you deserve, contact the attorneys of DTLA Law Group.
FAQs about Trip and Fall Lawsuits
What is the expected settlement value of a trip and fall accident case?
Each claimant is affected by their accident in different ways, and as a result, their monetary losses are based on their own circumstances. That’s why there is no universal case value that we can offer when people ask for an average case value for a fall accident injury claim. Many of the clients we represent receive between $75,000 and $2,000,000 based on the degree of harm and suffering. For the most severe cases of injury, settlements can exceed $3,000,000, though claims with minor injuries are typically settled for $30,000 or less. Considering all the factors that are involved, it’s best to speak with a trip and fall attorney, who can help you figure out what you are entitled to from a lawsuit against the funeral home.
Do I have to file my lawsuit by a certain deadline?
Yes, all lawsuits for injury due to negligence are subject to a deadline, known as the statute of limitations. As the victim of a funeral home trip and fall accident, you must file a legal action within 2 years from the date of the injury. In short, each day that passes by after the accident will bring you one step closer to the deadline for a compensation claim. Thus, it’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible, who can file the necessary paperwork and help you develop the best legal strategy.
How long does it usually take to settle these cases?
Trip and fall and slip and fall lawsuits can take around 6 to 10 months to settle on average, though we have certainly had cases that were resolved much faster. However, fast resolutions are unlikely if you serious to severe injuries, because these are cases that are usually worth 6 to 7 figures. Any business – as well as their insurance company – will fight to reduce the amount they have to pay you, and as a result, it can take over a year to negotiate a favorable settlement. In the event court intervention is necessary (through mediation or a trial), receiving payment from the defendant can take up to several years.
Is it bad to switch lawyers if I have a pending fall accident injury claim?
Making any decision on a whim is a bad idea where a legal case is concerned. But not all personal injury claims are black and white, nor do you always end up with a lawyer that’s right for you and your needs. That’s why you have the right to a second opinion on your case from another attorney that’s experienced with fall accident injuries. We are happy to provide you with a free second opinion on your trip and fall claim, so don’t hesitate to give us a call if you would like advice and guidance on an existing lawsuit.
Contact a California Trip and Fall Injury Attorney
We all trip over things at some point in our lives, but these accidents have the potential to cause serious harm, no matter your age or current health condition. That’s why businesses like funeral homes have a duty to ensure that lighting equipment, along with cables, wired, and cords are safely secured and out of people’s ways.
If you or someone you know was injured from tripping over lighting equipment at a funeral home, our lawyers have the skill and experience to bring you compensation from a premises liability claim. We will make sure that you receive all the damages you deserve by law, such as medical expenses, missed wages, pain and suffering, and damage to your personal belongings. All legal fees are paid to us by the defendant at the end of your case, which means you pay nothing out of pocket to hire us. In addition, we provide a Zero Fee Guarantee from day one as a promise that you won’t be responsible for attorney’s fees if we don’t win your case.
For a free case evaluation from a funeral home trip and fall from lighting equipment injury lawyer, contact us as soon as possible.
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