Expert Advice When You Need It Most

My pregnant friend had an accident in the foodcourt mall. Can she still get some claims even without an injury

Asked over 2 years ago - Los Angeles, CA

My friend who was 7 months pregnant (on the time of the accident) fell when she's about to get up on the bench in the food court mall. She hit her head in the glass panel. The mall called for a paramedics because she's having a contraction. They brought her to the hospital and did some examinations, ultrasound, blood works and CT scan (which I don't know if it's safe for her baby). She had to be confined for evaluations and they made sure that she will be ok when they discharge her. After monitoring for 24 hour the contraction stopped and they said that the scan result is ok (no head injury). My friend used her insurance on her stay in the hospital and now the Fire Department is asking her payment for their service. Now, can she still get claims without injuries.

Additional information
My friend doesn't know why she fell that day because she's worried about her baby. But she found out in the incident report that she fell because of the water on the floor. Who's gonna reimburse the insurance company? or does she have a case for the accident since it was not her fault? If yes, should she sue them or just talk to the mall insurance for settlement? And how much claim is fair enough for her to accept?

Flag

Save

Share with:

Attorney answers (3)

Kenneth Lewis Swenson

Reputation Level 15

Answered over 2 years ago. Litigation Lawyer in Yuba City, CA.

Flag

Your friend may make a claim for medical expenses if the negligence of the mall caused her fall, but would probably have to reimburse her insurance carrier for treatment covered by her policy.

Mark as good answer

3 people marked this answer as good

Add comment

Lars A. Lundeen

Reputation Level 20

Answered over 2 years ago. Personal Injury Lawyer in Rutland, VT.

Flag

As I am licensed in Florida and Vermont, I cannot comment specifically on California law. However, generally, a business has a duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. You do not state what caused your friend to fall. You would need to show that the business breached its duty of care and caused the fall. Without that, there is no liability and you cannot collect any damages. If, however, the food court maintained what is called "medical payments" or similar insurance coverage, it is possible that your friend could have her medical bills paid under that type of coverage, which does not involve a finding of fault. However, your friend's insurance company will look to be repaid from this source of funds for the medical bills.

Mark as good answer

3 people marked this answer as good

Add comment

S Edmond ElDabe

Reputation Level 13

Answered over 2 years ago.

Flag

I am a California lawyer with offices in Los Angeles and Orange County. Your friend may have a valid claim against the mall if the mall is legally responsible for her fall. Why did she fall? How did she fall?

If you were on a jury, and a person like your friend was asking for money from the mall, would you award money?

The law states that the mall owners are negligent if they fail to use reasonable care to keep the property in a reasonably safe condition. In deciding what is reasonable care, one may consider, among other factors, the following:
(a) The location of the property;
(b) The likelihood that someone would come on to the property in the same manner as [name of plaintiff] did;
(c) The likelihood of harm;
(d) The probable seriousness of such harm;
(e) Whether [name of defendant] knew or should have known of the condition that created the risk of harm;
(f) The difficulty of protecting against the risk of such harm; [and]
(g) The extent of [name of defendant]’s control over the condition that created the risk of harm

Orange County Personal Injury Lawyer

Mark as good answer

3 people marked this answer as good

Add comment