In February 2017, a woman driving on a Studio City road was injured when a massive sinkhole opened up and her car plunged in. The shocking incident occurred around 8pm in the evening, when the road gave away leaving a large hole. The woman was initially trapped in the hole in her car and remained there until fire crews were able to pull her out—crews were able to get her out “just before [a] second car fell into the massive sinkhole.”
As a result of this incident, the woman was taken to the hospital for her injuries. According to ABC 7 News, she “suffered a concussion and blurred vision in the incident.” Now, two years later the woman is seeking compensation for her injuries and losses. It appears the sinkhole was caused by heavy rain and sewer failure. The Los Angeles City Council has come to an agreement for a settlement and have agreed to pay up to $4 million to the woman for her injuries.
Government Personal Injury Claims
In a case like this, the government entity, Los Angeles City, is liable for the woman’s injuries because the city is responsible for road condition and the condition of the sewer system. As illustrated by this case, when an injury occurs on city premises due to negligence on the city’s part or an accident occurs because of the negligence of a city’s employee, the injured person can bring a personal injury lawsuit against the city. Bringing a claim against the city can be economically beneficial as the city has more funds to provide compensation for injuries.
An unexpected accident like this one can result in serious and expensive injuries as well as other damages (the legal term for losses suffered in a personal injury accident). Bringing a personal injury claim against the party responsible (in this case Los Angeles City) allows for the injured person to receive financial compensation for all damages suffered. With the assistance of a knowledgeable Los Angeles personal injury attorney, a person can recover not only physical medical expenses, but also lost wages, lost earning capacity, and loss of enjoyment of life. Also, an accident like this one can be traumatic and frightening and cause emotional or psychological damage. An injured victim can also recover damages to cover the cost of mental health and counseling costs.
Get Help from a Skilled Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney
If you are injured in an accident that is caused by negligence on the part of the city, it is crucial that you speak to a skilled Los Angeles personal injury attorney right way. Dealing with a personal injury claim against government entity can be tricky and has specific deadlines, so you will want someone with experience by your side. At Walch Law we have years of experience handling personal injury claims, including government claims. We can talk to you about the details of your case and the options you have to get the compensation you deserve during a free case consultation. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, call us now at 1-866-INJURY-2 [1-866-465-8792]