Southern California Building Collapse Accident Lawyer

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Filing a Building Collapse Accident Claim in California

Building collapses are becoming an increasing concern in Southern California and across the U.S. In recent years, several buildings collapsed in Southern California, causing victims injuries and placing many others at risk.

If you or a loved one was injured in a building after structural failure, the Southern California building collapse accident attorneys at KJT Law Group can help. We can seek the maximum compensation available in your case. Contact our team today to learn more during a free consultation: (818) 507-8525.

Building Collapses in Southern California

Los Angeles County and its surrounds has its share of hazards that affect buildings’ structural stability. Earthquakes, fires, and aging architecture create the perfect setting for dangerous building collapses that can harm residents, workers, and public servants like firefighters and police officers. (The Columbian) In 2022, two firefighters suffered injuries when a burning building in Vermont Vista collapsed outward. Although a collapse zone was established, the walls of the building unexpectedly fell outward and showered burning debris further than expected. (KTLA) A two-story residential building in Koreatown partially collapsed in 2015 when an exterior overhang gave way. The affected part of the apartment building was home to around 30 people, most of whom were children. The building was later deemed structurally sound, and no injuries were reported. However, even the type of cosmetic damage reported could cause injury to residents and passersby in a similar situation. (CBS Los Angeles)

Florida’s Surfside Condo Collapse a Warning for Property Owners

Although it did not occur in California, the 2021 Florida Surfside condo collapse that killed 98 people raised significant concerns for authorities, owners, and residents of Southern California condo buildings. (CBS News) Los Angeles County officials concluded that the owner of a building has the responsibility to inspect and maintain their property after initial inspections. (CBS Los Angeles) In some cases, however, establishing fault and liability is not so simple. This is where victims may want to have a building collapse attorney from our team on their side.

Damages You Can Claim in a Building Collapse Lawsuit

When you are injured or lose a loved one in a building collapse due to someone’s negligent or wrongful actions, you deserve compensation for the losses you experienced. The compassionate attorneys at KJT Law Group will advocate for your legal rights. Damages you can recover in a building collapse case include:

Medical bills
Lost income
Reduced income potential
Scarring and disfigurement
Pain and suffering
Loss of use of a limb
Loss of enjoyment of life

Whether you were a firefighter injured on the job or a resident injured when the building structure failed, a Los Angeles personal injury attorney at KJT Law Group can help.

Wrongful Death in a Southern California Building Collapse

If you lost someone you love in a building collapse, we extend our heartfelt condolences. Our Southern California wrongful death lawyers can help you seek justice for the loss of your loved one and remuneration for the costs associated with your loss. While we know that a monetary award does little to ease the pain of losing someone you love, it can help to ease your financial stress while you cope with your loss.

A Southern California Building Collapse Attorney Can Assist With Your Claim

When you are recovering from severe injuries caused by the structural collapse of a building, you do not need the stress of negotiating with insurance companies and lawyers. Let an attorney familiar with building collapse accidents help you navigate the legal process and handle the negotiations. The personal injury attorneys at KJT Law Group will actively defend your legal right to fair compensation after a building collapse in Southern California. When you work with our team, we will handle everything, including:

Compiling evidence
Determining fault
Establishing a goal settlement amount
Submitting demands to the at-fault parties and their insurance
Conducting negotiations
Filing a civil lawsuit and defending your rights in court

We firmly believe in holding the responsible parties accountable for the injuries caused by their negligence.

Who Is at Fault When a Building Collapses in Southern California?

According to CIV § 1714, a property owner is responsible for any injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care or skill in their property management. In the event of a building collapse, you or your attorney would need to prove negligence by showing that the building’s owner or manager was negligent in their duty to inspect, repair, or maintain the structural components of the building. In addition, you must prove that the building owner or manager’s failure in their duty of care resulted directly in the collapse that caused your losses. One of our building collapse injury lawyers in Los Angeles can investigate the building collapse and help you prove who was at fault. Individuals and entities who could be held responsible for a building collapse include:

A building owner or maintenance company
A building inspector
A building contractor
A building engineer
A building architect

Although the current owner of the building could bear liability for a collapse if they were negligent in their maintenance duties, other parties could be held liable. If, for example, the building was originally constructed using inappropriate structural materials, the architect, engineer, or building contractor may also be liable.

Injuries That Occur When a Building Collapses

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), building collapses are extremely dangerous and often fatal. When a structure loses integrity, it can send tons of construction materials and debris plummeting onto individuals inside and outside the building. As seen in the Surfside condo collapse in South Florida, severe injury and fatalities are not uncommon. Injuries you can expect in a building collapse include:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Spinal injury and paralysis
Broken bones
Crushing injuries
Internal organ injury
Loss of limb and amputation
Eye and facial injuries
Burns and disfigurement

Catastrophic injuries you sustain in a building collapse can affect you physically, financially, and psychologically for the rest of your life. In addition, building collapse victims may suffer from chronic disability, loss of cognitive function, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), partial or total paralysis, and other lifelong effects.

What to Do if You Were Injured in a Southern California Building Collapse

If you suffered an injury when a building collapsed in Southern California, your health and safety are the priority. Follow these steps to ensure your safety and protect your legal right to fair compensation after a building collapse injury:

Seek Medical Assistance

If an ambulance does not take you to the hospital, go to the emergency room or your primary care physician as soon as possible. Injuries are often masked by adrenaline during a building collapse, so it is important to have a medical practitioner examine you for injuries.

Document Everything

Your doctor will maintain important medical records that are critical for establishing the severity and extent of your injuries. Write a log detailing ways that your injuries affect your daily life. Include dates and times, pain levels, and explain how your injuries prevent you from performing certain activities, such as work or hobbies you once enjoyed.

Get a Case Review From Our Firm

Following the building collapse, you may hear from the property owner or insurance company. They may ask you to sign a waiver or agree to a settlement that is well below the value of your losses. Speak with someone from our team before you agree to anything. You can learn more about your legal options during a free case review. If you hire our team, your lawyer will know how to negotiate with these parties to ensure that you seek the compensation you deserve for your losses.

Contact KJT Law Group Today for Your Free Consultation

Learn how our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers can help you today. Call (818) 507-8525 to discuss your Southern California building collapse case. We will provide a free case evaluation and help you determine how best to proceed with your claim.

If you or someone you love was injured due to another person’s negligence, contact KJT Law Group at (818) 507-8525 for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.

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