Sink Hole Accident Lawyer
Most residents and even tourists visiting California are aware of the seismic activity that occurs in the region. After an earthquake or seismic event, people are alert for ground disturbances and sink holes. However, most are unaware of the manmade issues that can result in sink holes like leaking water or sewer pipes, mining, removing groundwater, or other manipulation of the natural soil in an area. So, when they encounter a sink hole in the street, sidewalk, or private property, they are shocked and often victims of a sink hole accident.
The unfortunate part of these incidents is that there is typically no warning before the ground simply collapses under your feet, car, bicycle, or other vehicles, literally swallowing whatever was on the surface. These sink holes have been reported throughout the state, from Los Angeles and San Diego to Sacramento and the Bay Area, causing vehicle accidents, pedestrian injuries, and mayhem. Once the victims have gotten the medical care needed, they face many questions such as who is to blame for the sink hole and can they secure compensation for their losses and expenses caused by the incident.
If you or a loved one have recently become a victim of a sink hole injury accident, please know that you do not have to face the coming challenges alone. The caring and skilled staff at Kenmore Law Group is here to help. Our office team can be reached 24/7 to help you understand your rights, the possible time limit to take legal action, and how our sink hole accident attorneys can take the stress and worry off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
We hope you will accept our offer for a free consultation to discuss the facts of the incident with one of the Kenmore Law Group’s personal injury lawyers to evaluate the legal merit of your claim. If you have grounds for a sink hole accident injury lawsuit, they will explain the process and your options. But rest assured, you are never obligated to file a lawsuit or hire Kenmore Law Group. Our goal is only to ensure that all personal injury victims understand how to use the legal system to protect themselves and their financial futures.
$465,000
Slip & Fall
$600,000
Assault and Battery
$525,000
Head Trauma
$900,000
Hand/Wrist and Back Injury
$599,000
Slip And Fall Accident
$600,000
Shoulder Injury
Common Sink Hole Accident Injuries
Sadly, the severity and range of injuries sustained by sink hole injury victims are massive. Those who fall into a sink hole while on a bike or walking can suffer life-altering or even life-threatening harm. Those involved in a motor vehicle accident because of a sink hole can also suffer injuries that range from mild to life-threatening and include:
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds that involve damage to internal organs and internal bleeding
- Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
- Damage to the delicate facial skin, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth
- Broken or shattered bones
- Damage to the connective tissue of joints and complete joint dislocations
- Burn injuries are the sink hole results in a fire
- Head injuries ranging from a skull fracture or severe concussion to a traumatic brain injury
Please know that if you are involved in a sink hole accident, your safety and health are the priorities. Please seek immediate medical care for your injuries to ensure you have the greatest potential for a complete and swift recovery. Then, contact Kenmore Law Group to discuss the incident and who could be responsible for the expenses and losses you suffered because of the sink hole accident.
Who Is Responsible For My Sink Hole Accident Injuries?
Thinking about the list of issues that could result in a California sink hole, you could easily become overwhelmed. With many potential factors being concealed in the ground, it is difficult to evaluate the causes of a sink hole and who could have made the mistake that caused the ground to collapse. Some of the common issues causing sink holes include:
- Removal of groundwater
- Leaks in water, sewer, or gas lines
- Excavation and improper compaction when the area is backfilled
- Diverting naturally occurring water
Knowing who could have been responsible for these errant acts can also become mind boggling. The list of responsible parties could include:
- The city, state, or federal government if the sink hole was under a public street or on government property
- A contractor who built the street or structure near the sink hole
- A utility provider if their pipes leaked and caused erosion
- A homeowner who damaged water lines in their yard and caused the erosion and sink hole
The good news for victims of a sink hole injury accident is that they do not need to try to figure out the cause of the sink hole or whom to hold accountable. All they need to do is contact Kenmore Law Group to discuss their injuries and the sink hole accident that caused them. Our expert team of sink hole accident lawyers will handle everything else on your behalf. But please reach out to our staff at your earliest opportunity, as the time limit to file a lawsuit to secure compensation could be shorter than you might imagine.
What Duty of Care Means For Injury Victims
Duty of care is part of premises liability laws that protect the safety of guests on any public or private property. Ultimately, the property owner and their staff are legally obligated to take steps to ensure the safety of those using the space. Duty of care goes on to explain what is required of the staff or owner if a safety concern is discovered or reported by a guest. It requires the owner to act in the same manner as any prudent person would when facing the same or a similar situation. If the staff fails to act swiftly to correct a hazard or block off the area to prevent others from being hurt, they can be considered negligent in their duty of care. In addition, the property owner can be held liable for the losses and expenses the victim incurs due to their injuries.
In the case of a sink hole, if the property owner or staff knows of the possible safety hazard and did not correct it or blockage the area, they could be held responsible. In addition, if a property owner or contractor acted irresponsibly and caused the sink hole, they could be liable for your losses and expenses. Please reach out to Kenmore Law Group today to learn more about the many ways negligence could have been a factor in your sink hole accident injuries.
How Much Is The Average Sink Hole Accident Injury Lawsuit Worth?
Victims of any personal injury incident should know that there are no predetermined values for any specific harm or injury they sustain. Instead, the amount of compensation sought via a lawsuit will be based on the actual losses and expenses incurred by the victim. You will work with your Kenmore Law Group sink hole accident lawyer to compile all the documentation supporting your allowable expenses, which will typically include:
- The replacement cost of any personal property that was damaged or destroyed in the sink hole accident
- Your legal fees to prepare, file, and litigate your sink hole accident lawsuit
- All current and estimated future medical expenses related to the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of your sink hole injuries
- Any lost income if your sink hole injuries prevented you from working until you were fully healed or if you missed work to attend medical appointments related to the injuries
How Long Do I Have To File My Sink Hole Accident Lawsuit?
The time provided to a sink hole injury victim to file a lawsuit will vary based on the party responsible for the incident. In most cases against a person or business entity, the time limit to file a lawsuit with the court is two years from the date of the injuries. However, if the liable party is a government entity or agency such as the city or state, you have only six months from the date of the injury incdiet to file your claim with the court.
It is crucial to understand that once the time limit has passed, you will typically lose the right to seek any compensation for the losses caused by that sink hole accident. In addition, there are very few exceptions that would provide more time for a victim to file a lawsuit once the time limit has expired. Please reach out to Kenmore Law Group at your first opportunity to discuss your case and the time needed to prepare and file it with the court to ensure you do not miss this opportunity.
No Upfront Legal Fees Or Added Financial Stress
When you hire Kenmore Law Group to handle your sink hole accident lawsuit, we never require any upfront legal fees or payments. Instead, our firm only gets paid after the case is resolved, and you have the compensation needed to cover your legal costs and other expenses. This simple pledge ensures that all personal injury victims have access to the best legal services to secure any compensation that is owed to them.
Finally, if the seasoned Kenmore Law Group sink hole lawyers fail to win your sink hole injury lawsuit, you owe our firm nothing for our time and financial investment in your case. Please reach out to our caring and dedicated staff today to learn more about our services and how we will work diligently to settle this legal matter for you so that you can focus on healing and making a complete recovery from the injuries sustained in a sink hole accident.