San Francisco Open Manhole Accident Injury Lawyer
As a resident or guest of San Francisco, you will surely enjoy taking in the city and all it offers as a pedestrian, exploring the neighborhoods, the various cultural activities and cuisine, and the interesting architecture. As you explore the city, you will also learn that you are one of nearly 800,000 people who traverse the city, often on foot. During peak traffic hours, that can mean the city sidewalks and crosswalks are very crowded. Instead of each person moving independently, it appears that the mass of humanity is moving much like a flock of birds or swarm of bees, all in unison.
The downside to this hectic traffic is that the flow of people can feel almost overwhelming as you have little personal space and no ability to see a step or two in front of you. All you can do is keep moving and trust that the person in front of you did not experience an issue, so you have solid footing ahead. In most cases, this method of thinking works well. However, when someone has been negligent in performing their job duties and failed to properly replace a manhole cover, the outcome can be tragic. Someone is going to suffer potentially severe or even life-threatening injuries when they fall into a round hole in the sidewalk or street that can measure three feet or more in diameter.
We have all seen the large metal manhole discs covering the tunnel or vault entrance housing utility equipment, telecom gear, or access to the sewer system. But we see these lids as secure and safe to traverse because they are heavy and fit tightly into the space they cover. The issue for pedestrians arises when someone fails to correctly replace a manhole cover after working in the tunnel or vault below it. The victim can appear to be swallowed up by the ground as they fall into the opening that may be large enough for them to disappear through. In other cases, the victim is stuck in the opening and dangles there with only their upper torso holding them above ground. In these instances, they often suffer additional injuries as the crowd of pedestrians does not see what happened and will inadvertently step on them or trip over them.
If you or a loved one has recently suffered injuries from an open San Francisco manhole, please know that DTLA Law Group is here to assist you. Our compassionate office team can be reached 24/7 to help you understand your rights as an injury victim and how you can use the legal system and expertise of our San Francisco open manhole accident injury lawyers to get the compensation you deserve to cover the cost of your losses and expenses caused by this incident. In addition, we hope you will accept our offer for a free consultation with a DTLA Law Group legal team to further discuss your case’s facts.
Once you have provided all the critical details and facts, our San Francisco open manhole accident injury lawyers will explain the legal merit of your claim and if you have grounds for an open manhole personal injury lawsuit. They can also provide more information on the process of pursuing legal action, the time needed to resolve the case and the possible compensation you might receive. With this valuable information, you will be well-prepared to make choices that can impact the rest of your life and determine your future financial stability. But please know you are never obligated to hire DTLA Law Group or file any lawsuit. Our staff only wants to ensure you understand the options and the time limits to decide if you will pursue legal action.

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You might wonder why the city of San Francisco uses manholes if the covers are easily dislodged, creating a considerable safety hazard. You must understand that these covers are not easily moved or removed from the opening they conceal. It takes special heavy-duty tools to open a manhole and is typically only done by a professional or tradesman working in the vault or tunnel below. Workers often open these tunnels only after gaining approval from the city or municipality to close a portion of the street or sidewalk where they will work. They usually move the manhole cover only a few feet from the opening due to the lid’s weight. However, there are cases where someone is negligent in their duty and fails to replace the manhole cover or does not replace it correctly. In these cases, it is only a matter of time until tragedy strikes and someone suffers a San Francisco open manhole accident injury.
Do Open Manhole Injury Victims Suffer Severe Harm?In most cases, the injuries suffered when falling into an open San Francisco manhole are serious and can even be life-threatening. The victim can fall from a few feet to a dozen or more feet into a concrete vault or tunnel. It is also possible that there is equipment or large pipes below that can add to their injuries. In other cases, the victim only falls partially through the opening and becomes stuck in the hole. Usually, they are dangling by their upper torso or shoulders and can suffer serious injuries due to the weight of their entire body being suspended by only their arms and shoulders. The harm that is likely to occur is one or more of these serious injuries:
- Back, neck, and spinal cord damage
- A partial or complete amputation
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds that often involve damage to internal organs and internal bleeding
- Soft tissue and nerve damage or destruction of nerves
- Complete joint dislocations or the destruction of the soft connective tissue of joints
- Fractured, broken, or shattered bones
- Injuries to the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or delicate skin on the face
- Head injuries that can include a skull fracture, severe concussion, brain bleed, or other traumatic brain injury
If you suffer a fall into an open San Francisco manhole, please focus only on getting the medical care required to provide the most favorable outcome for your healing and recovery. Once you have gotten the immediate care needed, please contact DTLA Law Group to discuss the potential of a San Francisco open manhole accident injury lawsuit to secure the compensation needed to cover your medical bills and other expenses caused by your injuries. Our staff is here around the clock to provide this vital information to allow you to relax and know that you have many options to avoid financial hardships because of the harm caused by someone else’s negligence.
Who Is To Blame For An Open Manhole In San Francisco?After suffering injuries due to an open manhole in San Francisco, you might have no idea who is to blame for your injuries and the potentially massive medical expenses you now face. Even sorting out the potential list of liable parties could be upsetting and overwhelming. But please know that you should not worry about this process, as the staff at DTLA Law Group is ready to take on any challenges and processes required to get you the compensation you deserve. We understand very well that determining the liability for your injuries is critical and can impact the time remaining to file your lawsuit. Our experts will get to work quickly to narrow down the list that could include:
- The City of San Francisco because of negligence by city workers in the maintenance department, technology employees, or city street crews
- Staff from a utility company working in the area
- Private contractors working for a nearby property owner
- Companies hired to inspect and maintain the vault or tunnel
Please know that the DTLA Law Group team will evaluate all the possible selections and find the entity or person responsible for your injuries. While we undertake this task, all you need to do is rest and focus on making as complete a recovery as possible.
How Much Is My San Francisco Open Manhole Accident Injury Lawsuit Worth?The compensation you receive for your open manhole injury lawsuit will be determined by evaluating your actual losses and expenses. Your DTLA Law Group legal team will assist you in compiling all the supporting documents for the allowable expense items, which are likely to include:
- All current and future medical expenses related to your injuries
- The cost of legal services to prepare, file, and litigate your open manhole accident injury lawsuit in San Francisco
- The replacement cost of any personal property damaged or destroyed in the incident
- Your lost income if your injuries prevent you from working until you are fully recovered
If DTLA Law Group determines the liable party is a government entity or agency, such as the City of San Francisco, you have only six months from the date of the injuries to file your claim with the court. If the liable party is not a government agency, you have two full years from the date of the injury incident to file your case with the court. However, both of these time limits are strictly enforced. Once they expire, you will lose the right to seek compensation for the losses and expenses caused by this incident if your case has not already been filed with the court.
Why Choose DTLA Law Group?When you hire DTLA Law Group, we never charge any upfront legal fees or expenses. Our firm only gets paid after the case is resolved, and you have the compensation needed to cover your legal costs. In addition, if our San Francisco open manhole accident injury lawyer fails to win your case, you owe our firm nothing. Please reach out to DTLA Law Group today to learn more.
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