Two Children and Two Adults Injured In Daly City Balcony Collapse Accident Along Westmoor Avenue
DALY CITY, CALIFORNIA (September 17, 2022) – Two children and two adults were injured in a Daly City balcony collapse accident on Westmoor Avenue.
San Mateo County officials are saying that the accident took place around 1:07 p.m. on Friday. Two adults and two children were on the balcony of a single family home when it suddenly collapsed.
The collapse sent all four people to the ground below. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help all of the victims.
Multiple people were taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment. A full investigation into the balcony collapse remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Daly City Balcony Collapse Accidents
Balcony collapses may seem like freak occurrences, but they are actually quite common. According to NBC News, An estimated 6,500 people have been rushed to emergency rooms with injuries from collapsing balconies and porches […] since 2003. The vast majority of these were preventable. There are many factors that could lead to a balcony collapse.
- Balcony collapses are more likely when worn support beams are not repaired.
- Dry rot could weaken the structural integrity of the support beams.
- A balcony could be overloaded beyond is stated capacity.
- Bolts that are used to hold the balcony together could come loose.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for any balcony collapse accident. A property owner could be liable for an accident if the injured party was renting a home. Pursuant to California Civil Code 1714, everyone is responsible for an injury occasioned to another by the lack of ordinary skill in the management of his or her property. Property owners must maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. They may be liable for a dangerous condition on their property – provided that they had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition.
A company that installed a balcony could also be liable for a balcony collapse. Many balcony collapses are due to inadequate construction or engineering. It is common for builders to try to cut corners in order to save on cost. For example, they may use a grade of wood or bolts not intended for balconies. This wood could slowly lose its structural integrity over time. Victims of balcony collapses tend to suffer very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
Any person injured in a balcony collapse may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the unexpected expenses that can come with a serious accident. Unfortunately, property owners and construction companies will often fight hard to deny liability for any accident. A personal injury attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A San Mateo County Balcony Collapse
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to all of the victims of this accident. It is our sincere hope that the victims are able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Daly City balcony collapse? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
