Personal Injury

Stuck at the Airport?

Dealing with the airport is such an annoying process that it usually starts days before you even arrive at the airport. You have checked the TSA list several times already, making sure you’re not packing anything prohibited. You have weighed and reweighed your bag in an effort to avoid any surprise fees. You even packed snacks so you could avoid the outrageous price tags at the airport impulse aisles.

How can it get any worse?

Then, you find yourself on the floor. Your feet shot out from under you because of an unseen puddle on the floor. Or you wake up, finding yourself at the bottom of an escalator. You still have hope, you can get up and dust yourself off and still make your flight, only to be met with pain when you pull yourself off the ground.

It turns out there are many perils you may not have considered when you booked your flight.

What Kinds of Hazards are at the Airport?

You have likely avoided any movies or shows with plane crashes leading up to your flight. No ‘Final Destination’ or ‘Lost’ binge-watches before you head off to the airport, right? While worrying about commercial plane crashes, you likely never thought of accidents at the airport that don’t involve a plane crash.

When you stop to think about it, the airport is loaded with hazards that can lead to accidents and even injuries.

Here are just a few of those hazards to look out for.

Slips, Trips and Fall Accidents

You probably don’t see those sparkling, polished marble floors as a hazard when you are at the airport. The fact that there is already so much foot traffic, hustle, and chaos at an airport means that spills may not always be seen. One wrong footstep, and you can find yourself on the ground and in pain.

Likewise, you can find yourself injured when you trip over someone’s luggage.

Luggage Related Injuries

This one seems obvious. If you are a frequent flier, you are probably already familiar with how heavy luggage can get. If someone loses a grip on their heavy luggage and it strikes you, it will likely cause some pain. Even worse, let’s say you have already boarded, and someone’s overhead compartment opens, and their fifty-pound bag lands on you. That is an injury waiting to happen!

What Steps Should You Take After an Injury?

Accidents at the airport can be so jarring that you might not know what to do if you are ever injured in one. The first thing to remember is to remain calm. You will need a clear mind in order to navigate your accident.

First, seek immediate medical attention. The airport workers will likely be very helpful and want to help you if you are injured.

You will need to report the accident. Notify airport security or a staff member. Explain your injury to them and what caused it.

Next, take time to collect evidence. Document the accident. You may be able to request an incident report from the person who helps you. Take photos of the scene of the accident, including any evidence of what caused your accident, such as puddles or trip hazards. If there were witnesses to your accident, ask if they would be willing to give their contact information and possibly a witness statement.

Finally, keep very detailed records of your accident. Keep your medical documents, including any diagnosed injuries and medical treatments. Document your symptoms and any changes to your well-being.

Who is Liable For Your Accident?

The airport, right? That seems like the obvious answer until you consider that an airport is similar to a mall, full of many vendors and businesses. This can make figuring out liability a bit tricky. Here are a few of the different parties that could be held liable for your accident.

The Airport Itself

The owners and operators may be liable for your accident as they are responsible for making sure their premises are safe. Hazards should be immediately addressed to avoid causing injuries.

The Airlines

If you are injured while boarding or departing your plane or in an area under that airline’s control, they may be liable for your injuries.

Venders

Shops and restaurants are responsible for keeping their spaces safe for visitors. If you are injured in a store while at the airport, the owner may be liable for making things right.

Contractors

While airports are responsible for ensuring the safety of their properties, they may outsource maintenance and cleaning to contractors. These contractors may be liable for any injuries that occur because of negligence.

Do You Need an Injury Lawyer?

If you have a slip and fall because of negligence in an airport, but you’re still able to make your flight, you probably won’t need a lawyer, and you might even find some kind of free voucher in your possession.

But what should you do if you find yourself badly injured? Even missing your flight as a result? How does someone go about holding something as major as an airport liable for their negligence?

Working with Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor, A Professional Corporation, can increase your odds of successfully holding this major company or one of its many vendors or businesses accountable.

An experienced injury attorney can be the difference between a free meal voucher and a substantial payout. You can guarantee that the major airlines and airports have an entire legal team on their side, so why shouldn’t you?

Call 626-208-9906 to schedule your free case evaluation!

The Difficulties of Personal Injury at Sports Events

Excited sports fans are more dedicated to their favorite teams than ever before. This dedication frequently results in repeat trips to sporting events, and in most cases, a fun time is had by all. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for those who experience an injury onsite. So, what legal recourse do you have if injured at a sporting event?

In most cases, a personal injury claim will be your primary legal recourse. While the actions of promoters, property owners, and other responsible parties may be criminal in some instances – you’ll find that seeking financial compensation is typically the way to go.

Unfortunately, personal injury law gets a little more complex when sporting events are involved.
That’s why it’s important to understand all your options moving forward.

Premises Liability Claims

After suffering an injury at a sporting event, many victims have filed successful premises liability claims. These legal claims typically target venue owners or operators due to unsafe conditions on the property. For instance, fans have previously been injured due to defective seating, inadequate security, and poorly maintained walkways.

This is possible because venue owners and operators have a duty of care for spectators. These individuals are expected to maintain a safe environment for fans who come to enjoy events. If they negligently fail to uphold this duty of care, they may be held legally liable for any damages. This can result in a personal injury settlement or lawsuit.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that personal injury cases can be extremely complex – especially when it comes to the legal recourse available for injuries at a sporting event. That’s because there are many other potential parties who may be responsible for injuries.

Negligence on the Part of Participants or Event Organizers

Venue owners and operators play an important role in sporting events. However, they’re far from the only parties who owe a duty of care to others at these events. For instance, the organizer of an event may act negligently and cause harm to attendees.

There have been cases where organizers’ failures in crowd control, adequate safety measures, or offering on-site emergency services have resulted in liability. It’s also possible that participants in a sporting event could be held liable for injuries.

The possibility of participants being held liable even extends to players. This includes athletes who may act recklessly or outside the scope of the game’s normal risks. Such negligence won’t result in premises liability, but it may still lead to a personal injury claim.

Product Liability Cases

In many cases, it’s possible to see negligence unfold in real-time. When this occurs, the legal recourse available for injuries suffered at sporting events is often clear. Venue owners failed to provide adequate safety infrastructure, event organizers didn’t plan for massive crowds, or players simply made bad judgment calls. However, mistakes aren’t always this clear.

This is particularly true in product liability cases. For instance, defective equipment or products (e.g., safety gear, stadium seating, malfunctioning displays) could result in serious injury to individuals attending a game, those working in the stadium, and others who happen to be present. Such negligence can cause anything from minor injuries to wrongful death cases.

Intentional Acts of Violence

It’s an unfortunate reality, but violence at sporting events is not unheard of. When fans get overly excited about their favorite teams – often with alcohol thrown into the mix – bad things can happen. There have even been instances where fans, referees, and others at the game have been assaulted by athletes. In cases of violence, a personal injury claim may be appropriate.

Anyone who intentionally causes you harm can be held liable for the harm you suffer. They could be ordered to pay damages related to financial losses and non-economic damages (e.g., pain and suffering, emotional distress). It’s also possible that the venue could be held responsible for your injuries if they failed to provide adequate security to prevent such assaults.

What About Waivers and Disclaimers?

If you’ve ever attended a sporting event, you’ve no doubt seen language that attempts to minimize the risk of the venue and others associated with the event. Whether it’s on your physical ticket or on the payment website when purchasing a ticket, there will be disclaimers and even waivers that attempt to reduce your options if you suffer some form of harm.

It’s important to understand these legal instruments and how they affect your rights. Unfortunately, they can minimize the legal recourse available after suffering sporting event injuries. However, waivers and disclaimers are not always enforceable. This is why you should consider speaking with a legal professional.

Fortunately, you’ll sometimes have options even if you waive your legal rights.

Insurance Claims

If you agreed to a waiver or acknowledged the inherent risk of the event you attended, it may be difficult to secure personal injury compensation. In some states, event attendees actually take on the primary assumption of risk by simply showing up. If litigation is unlikely to secure a positive outcome, you may be able to avoid costly losses if you have personal injury protection or health insurance. These can pay out even if negligence isn’t established in court.

Of course, it’s possible that the sporting venue will also acknowledge what happened and provide compensation through their own insurer. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll face an easy process. Receiving an insurance payout from the venue or other negligent parties still requires navigating complex legal procedures. While you may be contacted with an offer for compensation, it’s advisable to not speak with anyone without first consulting an attorney.

At Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor, our legal team can help you take advantage of the legal recourse available when you’re injured at a sporting event. Contact us at 626-208-9906 today for a free case evaluation.

California Comparative Negligence Laws and Personal Injury Compensation

When you are involved in a car accident, bus accident, truck accident, or other incident on the roadway, you may wonder how you will recover financially from any damages or injuries you sustained. In many cases, your own auto and medical insurance may step up to help cover expenses related to the accident, but if the collision wasn’t your fault, other parties may be responsible for those expenses.

However, roadway accidents aren’t always simple, and there are many cases where more than one party is at least somewhat at fault in an incident. When this is the case, California’s comparative negligence law may impact any compensation awarded.

What Is Comparative Negligence?

Comparative negligence is a tort law principle that allows courts to reduce or mitigate the amount of damages paid to someone based on their own contribution to an accident. Most states have some version of comparative negligence laws, though some work on pure negligence while others have modified comparative negligence approaches.

How Does California Treat Comparative Negligence?

California is a pure comparative negligence state. This means you can seek compensation—and potentially get it—for an accident as long as you were not 100% at fault for the incident. Even if you were 75% at fault, for example, you may be able to recover some compensation from other parties who were also at fault, though your compensation would be reduced based on your level of fault.

Here’s a hypothetical and basic example to explain how pure comparative negligence might work: Imagine a car accident involving two people that goes to court. The court deems that person A is 75% at fault and person B is 25% at fault. Technically, both parties have a right to seek compensation. Say person A seeks compensation and is awarded $100,000. The court would reduce the amount paid out by 75% because they were 75% at fault, which would leave a compensation award of $25,000.

What About When More Than Two People Are Involved in an Accident?

Comparative negligence also applies in cases where there are more than two parties involved, and it applies to both economic and non-economic damages. For example, in a multi-car pile-up involving five drivers, a court might deem that negligence applies as follows:

• Driver A: 0% at fault

• Driver B: 10% at fault

• Driver C: 0% at fault

• Driver D: 60% at fault

• Driver E: 30% at fault

In this case, all the drivers would have some potential options for seeking compensation for damages, but only drivers A and C would receive 100% of any amount awarded to them. The other drivers would have their awarded amounts reduced by the percentage they were at fault in the incident.

What Does Comparative Negligence Mean for Your Personal Injury Case?

The big takeaway is that if you are partially at fault in an accident, you can still seek compensation. However, the amount you are awarded may be reduced. It’s important to note that comparative negligence is simple in concept and much more complex in practical application.

All plaintiffs in personal injury cases in California carry a burden of proof. This means that you must demonstrate that someone else was at fault, at least to a certain degree, in an accident to win a compensation case. To do that, you must show that the other person had a duty to act (or not act), that they failed to fulfill this duty, and that this failure is at least partially at fault for your losses. You also have to prove your losses, which might involve presenting evidence such as medical records and witness testimony.

If the other person or people involved in the accident claim you were also at fault, this complicates your legal strategy. On top of proving your case—that someone else was at fault and caused your injuries—you may need to defend yourself by demonstrating that you were not at fault or that you were less at fault than the other party claims. By working to reduce the amount of fault that might be assigned to you in a case, you can better protect any award you might win.

Work With an Experienced California Personal Injury Attorney

Comparative negligence is a common consideration in car and truck accidents, but this law principle applies to most types of personal injury cases. If you have been injured in a road accident or any other type of incident, including a premises liability or defective product situation, consider consulting with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

An experienced legal team can help you understand what your options are for seeking compensation. They will guide you through the process, make filings on your behalf, and state your case in court. A lawyer also works to protect your rights and ensures you understand whether comparative negligence may be a factor in the case so you can have a proactive strategy for mitigating any impact it might have on your compensation when possible.

To find out more about your options for seeking compensation after a car accident or another personal injury incident, reach out to Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor, A Professional Corporation by calling 626-208-9906 to make an appointment.

Who is Liable in a Pedestrian-Vehicle Accident?

If you are injured in or near Pasadena or anywhere in Southern California by a negligent driver while you’re a pedestrian, you can probably receive compensation for your medical costs and related damages, but you will need the advice and services of a Pasadena pedestrian accident attorney.

In only a decade, pedestrian fatalities almost doubled in the State of California. In 2012, just over 600 California pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents, but by 2022, that number increased to 1,100. In Los Angeles alone in 2022, more than 300 pedestrians lost their lives in accidents.

What are your rights if you are walking on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk and a driver rolls or crashes into you? What injuries do pedestrians typically sustain? What steps should you take to recover compensation, and when should you contact a Pasadena pedestrian accident lawyer?

What Injuries Are Typically Sustained by Pedestrians?

Pedestrians do not expect to be injured in traffic accidents, so they almost never wear any sort of protective gear. This means that when they survive an accident, pedestrians are likely to sustain the most serious types of injuries.

Pedestrians who are injured by motorcycles, autos, or trucks may suffer severe, catastrophic, or permanently disabling injuries including neck and back injuries, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, bruises, lacerations, broken bones, and injuries that require amputation.

Over a lifetime, catastrophic or permanently disabling injuries may require millions of dollars in medical treatment, so many injury victims will need the maximum compensation amount that is available. If you are a pedestrian injured by negligence in Southern California, now or in the future, a Pasadena pedestrian accident lawyer will work to win the compensation you need.

How is Liability for Pedestrian Accidents Determined?

Because this state is a “pure comparative negligence” state, an injured pedestrian may recover compensation for injuries even if he or she is deemed partially at fault for the accident. In order for a pedestrian’s personal injury claim to succeed, his or her injury attorney must prove that:

– The driver (or “defendant”) owed a duty of care to the pedestrian (or “plaintiff”).

– The defendant acted negligently, breaching the duty of care.

–  The driver’s negligence was a cause of the accident that injured the pedestrian.

– The driver should compensate the pedestrian for medical costs and related losses.

How Can You Protect Yourself as a Pedestrian?

Most pedestrian injuries take place in crowded settings like Los Angeles, but pedestrians are also killed and injured outside of the cities on California highways: highway maintenance personnel, drivers changing flat tires, and police officers conducting a stop or investigating a crash.

The safety tips for pedestrians are simple. Where it’s possible, use the sidewalk. If there’s no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic but as far from it as possible. Stay alert and be prepared for anything. Don’t text while walking. You could walk into a car or into something just as perilous.

Where possible, cross only at intersections and crosswalks. Do not walk in public if you’ve been drinking. If an impaired pedestrian is injured, that pedestrian will probably be deemed negligent and may be unable to recover any damages. Wear bright clothes at night, and use a flashlight.

How can motorists help? Don’t use your phone while driving. Don’t be distracted by your audio, GPS, children, or pets. Don’t groom, read, or eat while driving. Don’t drink or use any intoxicant before driving. Always comply with the traffic laws, and keep your vehicle maintained for safety.

When Will You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

If you are injured by a negligent motorist while walking in Southern California, seek or summon medical assistance at once. That is the paramount priority. The second priority is making sure that law enforcement officers will arrive at the crash scene and conduct an accident investigation.

After you’ve been treated by a doctor or another medical provider, arrange immediately to have a free case evaluation provided – without obligation – by a Pasadena pedestrian accident attorney. You’ll receive sound, personalized legal advice about proceeding with a personal injury claim.

California’s statute of limitations for pedestrian accident claims is two years, but don’t wait two years – or even two weeks – to contact a lawyer’s office. Your lawyer needs to see the evidence before it is contaminated or lost and question any witnesses while their memories remain fresh.

How Are Pedestrian Injury Claims Handled?

In California, most personal injury claims based on pedestrian accidents are resolved out-of-court when the lawyers for both sides meet to work out a settlement arrangement. Injured pedestrian accident victims are usually compensated without even having to appear in court.

But if liability for the accident is disputed by the driver’s car insurance company, or if that insurance company refuses to make an acceptable settlement offer to you in the out-of-court negotiations, your pedestrian accident attorney will:

– take your claim to a civil court

– tell a jury how the accident happened and how seriously you were injured

– ask the jurors to find in your favor and order the insurance company to compensate you

In many cases, when a personal injury claim is settled privately or prevails at trial, the victim may be compensated for his or her pending and projected future medical expenses, current and projected future lost wages, personal suffering and pain, and all other related losses and damages.

How Can You Find the Right Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

With thousands of lawyers practicing in Southern California, how can you find a personal injury lawyer who will fight tirelessly and effectively on your behalf and make your case a priority? An injury attorney at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor will do all of that and more.

If you’ve been injured by a negligent motorist while you were a pedestrian, contact Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor at once to schedule your free, initial legal consultation – with no obligation. You’ll get sound legal advice, and you’ll find out how the law applies to your case.

The award-winning attorneys at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor have recovered millions of compensation dollars for the injured victims of negligence. If you are injured by a negligent driver, now or in the future, call Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor at once at 626-208-9906. You will owe us no lawyer’s fee unless and until we recover your compensation.

Who is Liable for a Rear-End Collision?

Traffic crashes happen in a variety of ways, but rear-end collisions happen frequently. If you are injured in a rear-end accident because the other motorist was reckless or negligent, arrange immediately to discuss your legal options and rights with a Pasadena traffic accident attorney.

In any vehicle collision in this state, if a driver’s negligence causes another person’s injury, the injury victim is entitled by California law to compensation for his or her medical expenses, lost earnings, suffering, personal pain, and other damages or losses.

In rear-end collisions, it is usually assumed that the driver in the rear vehicle was the driver at fault, but in some cases, the other driver may have been fully or partially responsible for the collision. How is liability for a rear-end accident determined?

Can the Driver in Front Be Liable for a Rear-End Crash?

Every motorist in California must follow other vehicles at a safe distance and must be able to stop his or her vehicle. If you’ve done much driving, however, you know that a driver in front of you can abruptly slow down or stop for a number of reasons – or even for no apparent reason.

Thus, any California driver who rolls or slams into another vehicle’s rear end will usually be deemed liable for a rear-end collision. However, in some cases, the driver in the front vehicle may also be deemed at least partially liable. These include but are not limited to cases where:

– The front vehicle’s taillights or brake lights were not working.

–  The front vehicle had a flat tire, but the driver did not pull over or use hazard lights.

–  The front vehicle driver slowed or stopped as if making a turn but did not turn.

–  The front vehicle driver was tapping the brakes because the rear driver was tailgating.

How Will an Accident Attorney Help You?

Nevertheless, if you were driving the rear vehicle in a rear-end collision, you may find it difficult to prove that the other driver had any fault for the accident. If you were injured in the accident, let a Pasadena traffic accident lawyer represent you and advise you regarding your rights.

To learn exactly what happened and who was responsible for a rear-end crash, your lawyer will scrutinize:

– any photographs or video recordings of the accident

– the written police accident report

– your medical records

– any eyewitness statements

When Should You Reach Out to an Accident Attorney?

Injuries suffered in a rear-end collision may not be obvious immediately, so after a rear-end crash – even if you feel perfectly healthy – you should have an immediate medical examination, within twenty-four hours if it’s possible.

If you suffer a latent or difficult-to-detect injury, and if you do not seek a medical exam as quickly as possible, you may not be able to link your injury directly to the rear-end accident. If you and your attorney cannot establish that link, you will not recover any compensation.

Hard-to-detect and latent injuries can quickly (and sometimes slowly) emerge as serious medical conditions, so a prompt medical exam protects you both medically and legally. If a doctor confirms that you’ve been injured, you should contact a Pasadena traffic accident lawyer at once.

What Should You Say to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?

If you are injured in a rear-end accident in Southern California, until you have had an opportunity to discuss your case with a Pasadena traffic accident attorney:

– Do not admit to or confess any fault.

– Do not sign any automobile insurance documents.

– Don’t accept the first settlement offer from the other driver’s insurance company.

In fact, if you have been injured in a rear-end collision, do not make any statement whatsoever to the other driver’s auto insurance company. Refer all such inquiries to your attorney’s office.

How Will Your Case Be Handled?

If you’ve been injured, let your lawyer do all of the negotiating and talking on your behalf. Especially if you were injured in a low-speed rear-end collision, the other driver’s insurance company may offer you an amount considerably below the actual value of your injury claim.

Do not take any offer for less than your claim is worth, and discuss any settlement offer with your lawyer before you accept it. Your lawyer will negotiate for a reasonable and fair settlement, but if it becomes necessary, your lawyer will fight in court to recover your compensation.

While most rear-end accident claims are settled out of court, if liability for the accident is in dispute, or if no acceptable settlement offer is forthcoming, your attorney will take your case to court, tell a jury how the accident happened, and explain to the jurors why you should be compensated.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

The law in California establishes a two-year statute of limitations deadline for personal injury lawsuits arising from traffic accidents, but an injury victim should not wait two years and then try to file a lawsuit at the last minute.

Your attorney will need to review the evidence before it disappears or deteriorates and speak to any witnesses before their memories start to fade. You should reach out to a personal injury attorney immediately after you’ve been treated and examined for your injury or injuries.

However, if you have missed the two-year statute of limitations deadline, it’s possible that your case may qualify as an exception. A Southern California personal injury attorney can determine if your case qualifies as an exception to the two-year filing deadline.

Why Should You Choose Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor?

If you are injured by a negligent driver in a rear-end collision, the award-winning personal injury lawyers at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor will represent you on a contingent fee basis. You will pay no lawyer’s fee upfront and no fee until we recover the compensation you need.

You may face some challenges if you’ve been injured by a negligent driver, but Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor can help you move positively into the future. We have over four decades of experience representing and fighting successfully for the injured victims of negligent drivers.

You deserve to be compensated if you have been injured by a negligent driver in a rear-end collision. Recovering your compensation begins by calling Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor at our Pasadena law offices – at 626-208-9906 – and scheduling your free first legal consultation.