Who Is Liable for an Injury on a California College Campus?

 Posted on November 05, 2024 in Premises Liability

While college campuses can be an exciting place to be, they can also pose various risks of injury. As they are generally spread over a lot of space, it can be hard for campus staff to make sure that maintenance, hygiene, health, and safety regulations are always being followed. Faulty dorm room equipment, poorly maintained sidewalks, fights, and sports injuries are just a few of the many ways college students can get hurt on campus.

While accidents can happen anywhere, the fact that there are so many people and activities on a college campus increases the chances there. It is always important to know your rights when you are injured and understand how to hold accountable whoever was responsible for your suffering. If the college’s negligence led to your injury, a knowledgeable Los Angeles, CA personal injury attorney can help you navigate the process of seeking compensation.

What Are Common Personal Injury Cases on a College Campus?

While students can get injured in countless ways on a college campus, some accidents are more common than others:

• Slip and fall accidents: The college can be held responsible for these accidents if proper care is not taken to maintain the campus, deal with hazards, or provide proper warnings when hazards cannot be immediately dealt with.

• Sports injuries: Unsafe equipment and insufficient supervision are reasons why the college might be liable.

• Assaults, fights, and other intentional injury: The college might be liable if there was inadequate campus security, lack of enforcement of codes of conduct, and a general failure to provide a safe environment.

• Accidents in campus housing: If the college did not ensure and maintain safe living environments, it might be liable for any injuries that result.

What Compensation Can You Get in a Personal Injury Case?

There are several categories of compensation that you might be entitled to when you are injured on a college campus:

• Medical expenses

• Lost wages

• Academic impact

• Pain and suffering

• Punitive damages

What Should You Do if You Are Injured on Campus?

If you got injured on a college campus, there are several steps you should take:

• Seek immediate medical attention. Make sure you are addressing any medical issues resulting from the incident. Keep all your medical records and bills to document the injury.

• Inform campus authorities. File an official report with college administration or campus security, including details about how and where the injury happened.

• Gather evidence. Photograph the scene of the accident, including any hazardous conditions, as soon as possible. Get witness statements from anyone who was there and keep the witnesses’ contact information, since you may need to contact them later on. Keep copies of all medical records, bills, correspondence with the college, and anything else relevant to your injury.

• Consult a personal injury lawyer. An experienced attorney can explain the process of pursuing a case and help you navigate all the necessary steps.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an L.A. County, CA Personal Injury Lawyer

College is generally a time for learning, exploring, and experiencing exciting new things. Getting injured on campus can turn the experience from an adventure into a disappointment, but there is no need for you to face it alone. Whether you were injured at UCLA, USC, Loyola, CSU, Occidental College, or anywhere else, let a skilled Glendale, CA personal injury attorney at Tahmazian Law Firm, P.C. help you seek justice and compensation. Call us at 818-242-8201 to schedule a free consultation.