Exposed Manhole Lawsuit

No one expects to encounter a hole in the street or sidewalk three feet across or larger that could swallow an entire person. However, that is exactly what happens when an exposed manhole is left unattended and marked for safety purposes. The covers for these shafts are typically heavy metal discs that require a tool to be removed from the opening. So, there is little possibility of them being accidentally removed from their resting place. But when they are, it is not uncommon for pedestrians or bicyclists to suffer severe injuries from falling into the manhole, which could be five to ten feet deep or more and contain large pipes and values.

If you see a manhole that is not covered, avoid it at all costs. However, if you fall in or see someone who has fallen into an exposed manhole, call 911 immediately. It can be tough to get out of one of these pits, especially after a fall that could have resulted in significant injuries, such as:

• Broken or shattered bones
• Damaged or destroyed connective tissue at joints
• Severe lacerations that could include damage to internal organs or internal bleeding
• Back, neck, or spinal cord damage
• Injuries to the delicate skin of the face or harm to the eye, ears, nose, or mouth
• Soft tissue damage, such as harm to nerves and muscle tissue

Head injuries that could include a skull fracture, concussion, or traumatic brain injury

Please know that after such a traumatic and potentially harmful incident, you must call 911 for emergency medical care and a complete evaluation of your injuries. The priority is always your health. Get the care needed to ensure the most positive outcome, and know that once you are safe, your next call should be to DTLA Law Group to determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit. Our team will help you understand who is to blame for the harm you suffered and how to secure the compensation that is owed to you.

Duty of care is part of premises liability law. These are aspects of the legal system created to protect the safety of guests on all public and private properties. They define the care and steps a property owner and their staff must follow to maintain the space in a safe and hazard-free manner. Duty of care goes beyond those steps to define the level of care and when action must be taken if a safety issue or concern is found by the staff or reported by a guest.

According to duty of care, a staff member or property owner must act in a manner that is at least the level of attention and care as would be provided by the average prudent person in a similar situation. The simple terms and lack of legalese make it easy for all employees and property owners to know what is expected of them should a safety hazard be discovered. Simply imagine how you would react if you found a gaping hole in the sidewalk at your home because a manhole cover was removed.

The average person would cover the hole with a sturdy material to prevent anyone from falling into it or possibly block off the area if they could not cover the hole. These are what most people would consider common sense and how they would react to an exposed manhole. If the staff fail to take the appropriate action or do not act promptly to correct the issue, they can be deemed negligent in their duty of care. Furthermore, if it is later found that the staff negligence caused or contributed to someone suffering a personal injury, the property owner can be held liable for the expenses and losses incurred by the victim due to their injuries.

If you believe negligence was a factor in your exposed manhole injury incident, please reach out to the exceptional legal team at DTLA Law Group today to discuss the facts with a personal injury lawyer. Our staff can be reached 24/7, and your initial consultation with an exposed manhole injury lawyer is free. Our goal is only to ensure that all victims of personal injuries understand their rights and how to secure any money owed to them for the harm they suffered due to someone else’s negligence.

Most people who suffer a personal injury for the first time are surprised to learn that each lawsuit compensation value is determined independently. They assume there are predetermined values for specific injuries or accidents. However, that is not the case. Instead, you will work closely with the DTLA Law Group staff and your exposed manhole lawyer to compile all the allowable expenses you incurred because of your injuries. The items typically used for this process include but are not strictly limited to:

• All current and estimated future medical expenses for the treatment and rehabilitation of the exposed manhole injuries
• The cost of all legal services to prepare, file, and litigate your exposed manhole injury lawsuit
• The replacement cost of any personal property that was damaged or destroyed in the exposed manhole injury incident

Your lost income if the injuries you sustain prevent you from performing the tasks required for your regular job until you are fully recovered or if you miss work to attend medical appointments related to the care of your exposed manhole injuries

In cases with extensive injuries that will require a lengthy recovery time, it is common to seek added funds for pain and suffering. Because this compensation amount is not documented with an invoice or receipt, your DTLA Law Group legal team will offer guidance in selecting a reasonable amount based on recently resolved cases with similar facts and injuries.

The time limit to file a lawsuit for injuries due to an exposed manhole will vary based on the property owner where the incident occurred. If the incident happened on private property, you will have two years from the date of the injuries to file your claim with the court. However, if the property is government-owned, such as a city street or municipal park, you have only six months to file your claim with the court.

When you hire DTLA Law Group to handle your exposed manhole injury lawsuit, we never ask for any upfront payments that could add to your financial hardships. Instead, we only get paid after the case is completed, and you have the compensation needed to cover the cost of all legal services. In addition, you owe DTLA Law Group nothing for our time or financial investment in your case if we fail to win the lawsuit and get you the compensation you need.

Please make time today to contact DTLA Law Group and speak to a caring legal expert to ensure you understand your rights and how to get the compensation you deserve. Our staff can be reached 24.7 and is ready to book your free consultation to discuss your case with a dedicated exposed manhole injury lawyer to provide you with valuable information and possible solutions to the challenges you currently face.

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