City parks are an essential public resource. They give the public a change to enjoy outdoor areas and recreational spaces. There are any number of park sizes and shapes, with various types of options available to different groups. The bad news is that people are injured at city parks every year. In many cases, these accidents could have been prevented with the right level of supervision and properly maintained parks.
When these accidents are the result of negligence or recklessness, then the at-fault party may be held responsible via premises liability lawsuit. When the accident occurs at a public park, it is possible that the city itself could be held accountable. Read on to learn more and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation if you have been injured at a city park.
One example of an accident at a city park
Consider this example. A boy in Los Angeles was playing at Griffith Park when he fell into a drainage pipe. He had been standing on a board that broke. The good news is that the boy was rescued but the bad news is that he was trapped for 12 hours. In fact, he was found more than a mile from where he fell into the pipe. The accident was reportedly caused by the fact that a sanitation facility that was not in use was poorly cordoned off.
There are many potential ways to be injured in a city park
Parks that are run and overseen by the city can have many areas in which a person can get injured. For example, they can have basketball courts, playgrounds, tennis courts, pools, beaches, running trails, and much more. If they are run by the city then the city is responsible for maintaining them safely.
If the city does not meet that requirement and you or a loved is injured, then you will only have a short period of time during which you can file a complaint – in most cases just six months. There are several potential options for seeking compensation for damages. For example, if the city has not cared for the facilities or was negligent in removing potential hazards then the case would likely be covered by premises liability. In short, this means that the owner of the property had a duty to ensure that visitors and users were safe.
In other cases, there may be active supervision that was lacking. A good example is a drowning accident in a public pool. If the person who was supposed to be looking after the pool was being careless, then there could be a case against them.
To find out if your situation warrants bringing a legal complaint or lawsuit, reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707. We can provide a free legal consultation so you know exactly what your rights and options are.
