Girl in Grave Condition after Fall Out of Open Window

On Saturday, August 17, 2019, a 7-year-old girl was doing something that most kids do. The 7-year-old was jumping on a sofa when she suddenly flew out the nearby window. The girl was home with her aunt in the apartment near the Little Bangladesh and Koreatown are in the 200 block of South Alexandria Avenue. The girl fell approximately 15 feet from the open window; she hit the back of her head on the concrete below. The incident occurred before 1 p.m. When first-responders arrived just a short time later, the 7-year-old girl was having difficulty breathing. The girl was transported to a local hospital where she underwent surgery; her condition is unknown, although it is believed to be grave. According to the authorities, there window that the girl fell out of was screened.

A Study on Falls from Windows

A study conducted over a 19-year period demonstrated the frequency in which children fall out of windows. The study was conducted from 1990 to 2008. Researchers gathered and analyzed information on the number of children treated in emergency rooms (the information used was from a nationwide database). They found that a total of 98,415 children were treated for injuries directly associated with falling out of a window during the 19-year period. That number translates to an average of 5,180 window-related falls per year. The study also found that falls from windows were more common during the warmer months of spring and summer, approximately one-fourth of all incidents required hospitalization, and that children under the age of five were more likely to suffer serious injuries (and three times more likely to suffer head injuries) in associated with window falls. The study also concluded that window screens were in place the majority of the time (in the cases where such information was available).

Safety Recommendations to Avoid Window Falls

The horrible accident that the 7-year-old girl suffered could have easily been prevented. As adults, we cannot control the natural curiosity of children – they are going to jump of the sofa to see how high they can go and they are going to climb on the window to look outside if they want to. As adults, we have a certain responsibility to ensure that kids can be kids – albeit safely. Some safety recommendations include the following:

• Installing window guards (child-proof “gates” installed on the inside of windows)
• Installing window bars (installed on the outside of windows)
• Moving furniture away from windows
• Installing window locks (to prevent windows from opening more than a few inches)
• Not depending on screens to prevent falls (as screens are not designed to prevent falls)

Following these recommendations could significantly reduce the possibility of your child falling out of a window (note that some of the recommendations might require you to work with your landlord). The most important recommendation, however, is to always remain vigilant – as children can get themselves in very dangerous situations in a matter of seconds.

What Can You Do after Your Child Falls Out A Window?

Immediately after such a devastating incident, you should call emergency services. Do not move your child – as you might inadvertently worsen any injuries. Do everything within your power to ensure that your child receives the medical attention that he or she needs. If you believe that the harm that your child suffered has been underestimated, do not hesitate to seek a second or third opinion. The harm resulting from falls from windows can include cuts/bruises, broken bones, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries, for example. Could you take any legal action? You might be wondering whether you have the right to sue for the harm that your child suffered. Whether your child suffered extensive injuries, permanent injuries, or fatal injuries, you might have grounds to pursue a claim. Who could you sue? What type of action could you take?

Learn more about your legal options: call (855) 339-8879 to speak with a representative now.

Let’s consider a few of your options. You could pursue an injury claim or a wrongful death claim, depending on the specific circumstances. Who could you pursue a claim against? Who could be liable for the harm that your child suffered after falling out of a window? Consider the following points:

• Caretakers could be liable for failing to supervise children appropriately.
• Landlords could be liable for ignoring requests to install locks, window bars, or window guards, for example.
• Product manufacturers (window guard manufacturers, for example) could be liable for any defective products that lead to window falls.
• Companies used for the installation of window locks, guards, or bars could be liable for failing to install these products correctly and safely.

Your right to pursue a claim after your child falls from a window strictly depends on the details of the incident. If someone owed a duty of care that was ultimately breached, negligence and liability could be established – leaving you with the right to pursue a claim. To gain a thorough understanding of your right to pursue a claim after such a traumatic incident, you should seek legal assistance immediately as a lawyer should be able to provide you with the information and guidance necessary.

Could You Recover Compensation?

Recovering monetary compensation will not reverse the harm that your child suffered – and it will definitely not reverse the harm that your entire family suffered due to such a traumatic incident. However, you could be eligible to recover compensation – compensation that can help you cover all sudden expenses resulting from the incident and move forward with your life. Depending on the details of the incident and your claim, you could be eligible to recover compensation for all or some of the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages

Although there is no guarantee on the type and amount of compensation that you could be eligible to receive, you are likely eligible to receive at least some sort of compensation. An experienced lawyer can help you recover the compensation to which you, your child, and the rest of your family are entitled.

Contact Downtown L.A. Law Group

If you are in need of legal assistance after a devastating event such as a child falling out of a window, you should seek the expertise of skilled personal injury lawyers in your area. At Downtown L.A. Law Group, we have many years of experience handling a variety of claims and helping victims and their families to recover the compensation that they deserve. Our firm offers free legal services (free consultations and free second opinions) to ensure that all affected parties always have access to the legal guidance necessary to file their claims. Our free legal services are available as part of our Zero-Fee guarantee – which ensures that our clients never have to pay any upfront legal fees. Our contingency structure also ensures that our clients will only pay after reaching successful claim outcomes and recovering compensation. If you are ready to benefit from our free legal services and discuss your claim with our experts, do not hesitate to contact our law firm today – we are ready to fight for your rights and the rights of your injured child.