Maison Law represents injury victims in Monterey. An accident can happen anywhere, even in places where you might not expect them like Golden State Theatre. Whether you’re watching a concert or taking in a show, you could be facing injuries and other damage that you’ll then have to deal with. To learn more about your legal options in this situation, contact our Monterey personal injury lawyers for a free consultation.
Do You Even Need a Lawyer?
Facing any accident is frustrating. Not only do you have to deal with injuries, but the thing that makes it a potential legal matter is negligence. So, the accident you’re hurt in was likely preventable. That doesn’t change the fact that you have legal options, though. But you might be wondering if you even need a lawyer.
The answer depends on the circumstances. Hopefully, your accident or injuries were only minor in nature. If so, you probably won’t need to worry about legal action. However, if you’re more seriously hurt, you’ll need much more help and support. Our team can provide you with both by:
- Investigating what happened
- Helping you gather evidence and information
- Explaining your rights and options
- Figuring out who’s legally responsible for the accident
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Making things easier for you
It’s crucial to be cautious and prevent accidents. However, businesses and property owners in Monterey must take steps to make sure the property is safe for visitors. If they fail to do so and you’re injured as a result, they could be held accountable. Despite this, it can sometimes get confusing.
Is the Golden State Theatre Always Responsible For an Accident?
Unfortunately, accidents can happen at the Golden State Theatre for a wide range of different reasons, some of which are beyond anyone’s control. What makes an accident a potential legal matter, though, is when something happens that was in someone’s control. In legal terms, this is known as “negligence.”
In the context of an accident at Golden State Theatre, this comes into play if they:
- Knew about hazards and didn’t fix them
- Could have reasonably seen potential hazards and been proactive about them
In real world terms, this refers to any number of different scenarios that led up to your accident, like:
- Poor lighting in certain areas
- Failing to quickly clean up spills or wet floors
- Not repairing broken flooring or torn carpets
- Not clearing aisles of obstacles
- Not having enough staff to supervise the property–both inside and outside
- Having negligent or inadequate security measures in place
When one of these even contributes to your accident, Golden State Theatre itself will carry at least some of the legal responsibility (liability) under California’s “premises liability” laws. However, given the circumstances, others could share some liability as well. This usually includes:
- Theatre employees
- Other patrons
- Product manufacturers
- Security companies or personnel
Unfortunately, accidents have been known to happen at the Golden State Theatre, even with precautions in place. This usually means injuries, ranging from minor cuts or bruises to serious head injuries or broken bones. And while injuries make everything harder, it’s vital that you know your legal options and what you can get back.
What Are Your Options After an Accident at the Golden State Theatre?
No matter who’s ultimately responsible for your accident, your actual legal options don’t change. Under California law, you have the option to file an injury claim against the Golden State Theatre and anybody else that contributed to your accident.
Now, which option you choose is entirely up to you, but gives you two basic options:
- Filing an insurance claim out of court
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
The goal of the claim is to recover “damages” from the liable parties. This is why liability is so important: it tells you who you’ll be filing your claim against, and who will be paying for your damages.
- Medical expenses – This covers the cost of medical treatment, including hospital bills, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy.
- Lost wages – If your injury stops you from working, you may receive financial support for lost wages or income.
- Pain and suffering – This includes financial support for physical pain and mental anguish due to the injury. There are separate damages for the emotional distress, as well.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – This provides financial support for any decrease in quality of life or negative impact on your personal relationships.
- Property damage – If your property were damaged because of the accident, you can get financial support for repair or replacement costs.
In California, you have two years from the accident date to file your claim. Missing this deadline means you can’t file a claim or receive these necessary damages. Not only that, but part of filing your claim means it’s on you to show how extensive your damages are.
How Can You Strengthen Your Claim?
You don’t go to the Golden State Theatre expecting to be injured in an accident. Yet, it’s something that happens, and it’s something you need to know how to respond to. Even though it’s probably preventable and you have the right to file a claim, it’s on you to strengthen your claim any way you can. Here’s a few of the best ways:
- Get medical care – The very first thing you need to do is get medical help. A Theatre employee should be able to help you with this, but get first aid to take care of any immediate injuries. Next, you’ll want to go to a hospital or urgent care for more extensive help and documentation.
- Report the accident – This is extremely important to your overall claim. Report the accident to a Theatre employee or management as soon as possible. Also, ask them to make an incident report detailing the date, time, location, and circumstances. Make sure to get a copy of the report for your records. If your injuries are more serious, call an ambulance.
- Document the scene – Another important step is to document the accident scene by taking pictures or videos with your phone. Get documentation of any hazards present, and your injuries. These will serve as vital evidence of what caused your injuries.
- Speak with witnesses – Get the names and contact information of any witnesses as their testimonies may be pivotal to your claim.
- Preserve damaged items – Keep the clothing and footwear worn during the accident as they could potentially serve as evidence. Also, don’t fix or replace anything that was broken.
- Keep on top of your injuries – Keep a record of your injuries with photographs taken over time and maintain a journal noting any pain, discomfort, or limitations you experience. Also, keep copies of all medical records, bills, and receipts related to your treatment as they will be important for potential damages.
- Be cautious with statements – Don’t discuss the incident with the Theatre’s legal or insurance teams without first talking with our team. Statements made without proper guidance could be used against you. Also, don’t talk about the incident on social media.
These measures will not only protect your claim, but are vital for your overall health and safety. After all, while your legal options are important, it’s your health that should always be the top priority. With that taken care of, you can start thinking about the legal process. Our team will be there to give you the support you need.
Contact Maison Law After an Accident At the Golden State Theatre
It’s frustrating being injured in any accident, let alone one that happens to you when you’re simply trying to enjoy a nice night out at the Golden State Theatre. At Maison Law, our Monterey personal injury lawyers can help. We’ll explain your options, then guide you through the legal process to help you recover. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident at the Golden State Theatre, contact us today for a free consultation to talk about your case.
