A Dozen People Injured after Balcony Collapsed

On Saturday, May 8, 2021, a balcony collapsed during a party at a Malibu rental home, sending almost a dozen people onto the rocks below. The incident occurred at around 5p.m., with first responders arriving at the scene soon after. The incident occurred at a beach home in the 20500 block of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu (less than a mile east of Las Flores Canyon Road).

According to reports, ten to fifteen people were on the balcony during the social gathering when it collapsed, sending those on the balcony down approximately ten to fifteen feet onto jagged rocks and boulders, which are typical of our California coast. The incident left nine people injured; four of the victims were transported to local hospitals, where their condition remains unknown. The remaining five individuals who sustained injuries were evaluated at the scene but refused to be transported for care.

The owner of the home where the incident occurred said that the home was being rented to a group of four people from Colorado; the owner said that the renters were not allowed to have parties. The homeowner allegedly became aware of the party after neighbors complained about the noise coming from the property, and she checked her security cameras to find dozens of people in her home.

This incident has brought many issues to light. For instance, there is no way for homeowners to truly control what goes on in their rental homes once it has been booked. Additionally, there are questions about liability. Who is liable for the incident? Is the property owner liable even if it was clear that no parties were allowed? Is the rental company that the home was listed through liable?

There are many different companies dedicated to short-term rentals. Some of these companies include AirBnb and VRBO, for instance. In general, these companies are not liable for any incidents that occur on the premises. This is because they are simply a service that connects homeowners with potential renters. These companies are usually only liable when they fail to screen homeowners or the properties; additionally, they could be liable if they fail to follow up after reports made regarding unsafe conditions in homes. Typically, homeowners have the duty to keep their premises safe of any hazards that could lead to incidents. If they fail to identify and address the hazards or even fail to warn guests of the dangerous conditions, they could be liable for the incident.

In general, liability for incidents at rental properties could vary depending on the details surrounding the incident. If you are interested in learning more about establishing liability and possibly suing for the harm resulting from an incident at a short-term rental property, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at our firm immediately. Our lawyers are ready to guide you every step of the way and help you file your injury claim.