Maison Law represents students injured on the CSU Bakersfield campus due to premises liability. Premise liability occurs when the university fails to make a reasonable effort to maintain a safe environment for visitors, students, and employees. Failure to keep the property safe will result in premises liability, and you have the legal right to pursue damages.
And that’s where Maison Law can help. Our law firm will file premises liability lawsuit on behalf of students injured while on the CSU Bakersfield campus. To see if you have a case, contact us today for a free, confidential case review.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Premises Liability Injury at CSU Bakersfield?
According to California’s Civil Code 1714(a), property owners must keep their property reasonably safe and warn people who come onto their property about possible dangers. This law applies to universities, so, if someone gets injured while on the CSU Bakersfield campus, they are entitled to recover damages.
However, recovering fair compensation against the university can be tricky, which is why it is recommended to seek the counsel of one of our Premises Liability Lawyers at Maison Law. Our law firm will manage your claim and assist you with the following if you’ve been injured on someone else’s property:
- Increase your initial settlement through negotiations
- Make you aware of the compensation you will need in order to treat your injuries and make a full recovery
- Help you understand what a fair settlement should be based on the details of your case
- Build a case by gathering evidence such as:
- Proof of the damages you’ve suffered
- Evidence that a person, or business, was liable for your injuries
- Evidence the accident was in no way your fault, nor could you have done anything to prevent it
- File a claim in court if a settlement cannot be reached, and represent you in court in front of a judge and jury
Examples of Premises Liabilities at California State University Bakersfield
CSU Bakersfield is primarily a commuter campus and is the only public four-year university within 100 miles, making it a primary destination for students across Kern County. Most students attending California State University Bakersfield will spend the majority of their time in the classroom, interacting with like-minded students, and trying out new opportunities with friends. This is essentially what the college experience should be for anyone pursuing an education at CSUB. But what happens if you suffer a serious injury due to hazardous conditions such as:
- A wet floor
- Faulty building construction
- Loose railing on a dorm hall stairwell
- Uncovered manhole on the sidewalk
- An accident with a campus vehicle
The scenarios listed above are just examples, but if your injury was caused by any type of hazardous condition or negligence, then you can file a claim to receive compensation. If your claim is not quickly addressed by the CSU Bakersfield Risk Management office or their insurance, then you may need to file a lawsuit. At Maison Law, we can help manage your claim or file a lawsuit on your behalf if necessary. We help injured students by connecting them to immediate medical attention, collecting essential evidence pertinent to their claim, and building a strong case on their behalf to ensure they are financially compensated for the following damages:
- Past, current, and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation, therapy, in-home care, nursing care, medical devices, and medication
- Lost wages and employment benefits (if applicable)
- Permanent disability
- Reduced or lost earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Costs to repair or replace damaged property
- Pain and suffering
- Negative impact on mental health
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Loss of enjoyment of life
How to File a Claim Against CSU Bakersfield
When you file a claim against CSU Bakersfield for a personal injury, you will be attempting to resolve the issue between yourself and the university. To do this, you can fill out this form here. Or, you can submit a written personal injury claim that includes the following:
- Your name and address
- Address where you’d like to receive notice
- Date, location, and circumstances surrounding the incident
- A general description of damages caused by the incident
- The name or names of the CSU employee (if applicable) or employees that caused the injuries
- The dollar amount you are claiming, including estimated amount of prospective loss
- If you are claiming more than $10,000 you must state if your lawsuit will be considered a limited case (less than $25,000) or an unlimited case (a demand for more than $25,000).
Your claim will need to be signed by you, or a parent or guardian who can sign on your behalf. The letter must also be filed with CSU Office of Risk Management within six months after the incident or mailed to The CSU Office of the Chancellor Risk Management, 401 Golden Shore 5th Floor, Long Beach, CA, 90802-4210.
Filing a Lawsuit Against CSU Bakersfield
Filing a lawsuit against a public university like CSU Bakersfield is more complicated than suing a company or individual because public universities are considered government entities. However, it is not impossible to sue a public university for compensation. If you would like to file a claim against CSU Bakersfield, your first steps should be to file a notice of your claim against the school district and wait for the district to complete an investigation of the incident.
To file a claim against California state agencies or employees, you will need to go to the California Department of General Services, Office of Risk Management. This site allows for any person to file a government claim to receive compensation for damages caused by the state of California.
If the school district does not take action after a certain period of time or denies some part of the claim, then Maison Law will help you file a lawsuit against the university. To see what legal options are available, contact Maison Law today for a free case review.
What Compensation Can I Expect From a Premises Liability Injury at CSU Bakersfield?
It is difficult to know the specific amount of compensation you can receive for a personal injury at CSU Bakersfield because the cause of the injury differs drastically on a case-by-case basis. However, the more severe your damages are, the more compensation you can typically expect to get. Damages from injuries usually include:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages (if you have to miss work to recover, or take of your child)
- Retraining or re-education for job placement if you have suffered a disability from the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
It is important to note that most personal injury cases never make it to trial and are often settled outside of court. Both the defendant (the liable party) and the plaintiff (the injured party) usually will reach an agreeable settlement to:
- Avoid the uncertainty of a trial
- Avoid more stress and save time
- Save on costs and attorney fees
- Protect their privacy
Maison Law | CSU Bakersfield Premises Liability Lawyer
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries due to a premises liability, hazardous condition, lack of safety procedures, or a careless act at CSU Bakersfield, Maison Law can get you the compensation you need to get your life back on track. We understand how hard you’ve worked to get to college, which is why we work hard to get students their life back after suffering an injury. Contact Maison Law today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront charges for our services, and we only get paid if we win your case.
