Ceiling Collapse Injury Accident Lawyer

The idea of a ceiling collapsing while you’re underneath is a terrifying prospect, no matter where you are. Sadly, these accidents are not uncommon in private residences, schools, shopping malls, office buildings, and many other places we find ourselves in on a daily basis. Most people don’t give a second thought to whether a ceiling is safe and sound, but negligence by one or more parties can easily cause a ceiling to collapse.

Ceiling collapses can lead to catastrophic injuries to many people at the same time. Even if you escape with minimal injury, the damage to your personal belongings, even your home, can be substantial with these accidents. As a result, you may need to make alternate arrangements to store your possessions or find a new place to live, depending on the level of damage.

If you or someone you know was the victim of a collapsed ceiling incident, help may be available in the form of monetary compensation. Our lawyers can help you take legal action and ensure that you receive every penny you deserve from the individuals that caused your accident. Contact our law firm to discuss your rights and legal options with a ceiling collapse injury lawyer.

Common Causes of Ceiling Collapse Accidents

It’s rare that a ceiling collapses out the blue, as there are many signs that can indicate a weak or unstable ceiling. Cracks in the plaster, water staining, sagging, and peeling paint are all common signs of a ceiling that may on the verge of falling apart. These issues can be easily fixed in most cases if they are caught early enough, but leaving them unresolved can lead to a serious accident when the ceiling eventually collapses.

As for the issues that can cause or contribute to a celling collapse, here are some common reasons:

• Improper construction / installation
• Structural defects with the ceiling, roof, or other parts of the building
• Flooding and other types of water damage
• Poor maintenance (or none at all) by the property owner or manager
• Inspection failures / building code violations
• Inadequate repairs (either by the owner or contractor)

Bodily Harm from a Ceiling Collapse

When a roof or ceiling collapses, the sheer force and amount of material that falls on someone can lead to injuries with life-altering consequences. Here are just some of the health conditions that can impact you if you’ve been harmed by a collapsed ceiling:

• Deep cuts and permanent scars
• Disfiguring injuries to your face
• Skull fracture
• Neck and spinal cord damage
• Traumatic brain injury
• Fractured ribs
• Joint dislocation
• Loss of function in the limbs
• Amputation
• Broken hip
• Tailbone fracture
• Injuries to the internal organs (rupturing, for example)
• Death

Who is Responsible for a Collapsed Ceiling Accident?

Now that we’ve talked about the injuries that are associated with these accidents, let’s look at the entities that may be responsible for a collapsed ceiling. For the majority of these lawsuits, the liable party is the property owner, as they have a legal obligation to inspect and maintain their property. This duty is based on the law of premises liability, which holds owners responsible if a hazard on the premises causes bodily harm or property damage.

But what if there is another party that may be at fault, meaning they are directly responsible for the problems with the ceiling? The company that constructed the building or made repairs to the roof can certainly be at fault. For example, they may have failed to comply with building codes or used cheap / defective building materials. Damage or defects to the ceiling can also be caused by repair companies, especially roofing companies that fail to make adequate repairs. In situations like residential buildings, it may be a tenant that causes flooding and other issues, which can cause the ceiling underneath to collapse.

Due to these and other factors that may be relevant to your case, it’s important to discuss your accident with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. With decades of experience in roof and ceiling accident injury claims, you can count on us to go after every single party that’s responsible for your harm and suffering.

Average Value of a Ceiling Collapse Injury Case

The amount you can ask for in a lawsuit depends on many issues we will need to discuss with you in person. That’s why it’s difficult to say what an average settlement would be in these cases. The best we can do is to look at payments we normally recover on behalf of falling object injury victims. Payments for these lawsuits usually range from $175,000 to $3,000,000 and above. As you may have guessed, the degree of injury is the biggest factor in case values, along with the monetary damages you are entitled to, which may include some or all of the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages and/or lost earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Legal fees
• Punitive damages

Our lawyers can help you determine how much you are owed and take immediate action towards the recovery of your payment. For a free case review, please give us a call at your earliest convenience.

What is the Estimated Time to Settle these Cases?

Frankly, there is no exact timeframe to reach a settlement in a ceiling accident injury case. Some of our claims are resolved in just a few months, but others progress to a lawsuit, and maybe a trial. Based on the legal actions that are involved, the case settlement process can take up several years. It’s worth noting that over 90% of cases will not proceed to a trial, meaning you will most likely reach a settlement with the party you are suing. But the negotiation process takes 6 to 12 months in many cases involving roof or ceiling collapses, and maybe longer if you have severe injuries, like spinal cord damage or brain injury.

Statute of Limitations for a Lawsuit

One thing that’s essential to keep in mind is the statute of limitations, which is the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. This time period will differ somewhat based on your circumstances, but overall, you must file a lawsuit against the at fault party within two years of the incident. If you fail to take action by this deadline, the California court system will most likely invalidate your right to monetary compensation. Don’t be left without the justice you deserve; contact our law firm to begin the legal process on a ceiling collapse accident injury claim.

Free Second Opinion

Sometimes, we are contacted by individuals that have a pending claim against a negligent party. However, they have questions or concerns about their case and wish to obtain advice from another attorney. We can provide you with this service at no cost, so contact us right away to schedule a free second opinion. A ceiling collapse accident lawyer is available to evaluate your case and offer suggestions based on the problems you are having. The consultation is free even if you decide to stay with your current lawyer, so we hope you’ll take the chance of calling us for a free second opinion.

We Provide Free Legal Services

Justice is available if you’ve suffered injuries due to someone else’s misconduct, but the legal system can be very challenging to navigate. At the same time, injury victims are often struggling to make ends meet, and as a result, they choose to go without the representation they need from an experienced attorney.

This is not a choice that anyone should have to make, which is why clients receive free legal services here at Kenmore Law Group. We put up all the costs that are necessary to secure the compensation you deserve, and wait till the end of your case to receive payment from the defendant. If we don’t recover your settlement, you pay absolutely nothing, since we offer a Zero Fee Guarantee on all cases.

Our law firm is standing by to take your call, so contact us immediately if you or someone you know was injured in a collapsed ceiling accident.