Maison Law offers representation to those who have been hurt in the Merced County Fair. We understand how overwhelming it can be to face injuries while attending a county or state fair where you were expecting to have family fun. We will help you hold liable parties accountable for their adverse actions. Please contact us today for a no-obligation case consultation to get started.
Should I Speak with an Attorney After a Fair Accident?
There is no legal requirement that states that you have to retain a lawyer if you have been hurt in an accident at the Merced County Fair. In fact, you may be able to file an insurance claim or lawsuit on your own if your injuries were minor or you suffered only property damage in your accident. However, there are some circumstances where speaking with an attorney might be in your best interests after a fair-related accident. This may be true if the following elements apply to your case:
- The accident was caused by one or more other parties
- Your injuries required a follow-up stay or hospital care
- You were forced to miss time at work due to your accident
- Your life has otherwise been impacted physically or financially due to your accident
At Maison Law, we are here to help you from the moment that you call us. We will work with accident reconstruction experts and negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company so that you do not have to handle these aspects alone.
How Do Injuries Take Place at the Merced County Fair?
You never expect to become injured in an accident in a fun and exciting place like the Merced County Fair. Unfortunately, accidents are a possibility when there are food stands, animal-related displays, and rides all in one place for both adults and children. Here are a number of ways that accidents could happen at this fair every year:
- Ride malfunctions or manufacturing defects
- Ride operator error
- Slip-and-fall hazards caused by spilled food and drinks
- Trip-and-fall hazards from sidewalks and ramps
- Food poisoning illness
- Parking lot hazards
- Negligent security
The Merced County Fair Board, Management and Staff work together with various emergency responders to provide a safe environment each year at the Merced County Fair, as stated on their official website. However, accidents can still happen in a matter of seconds when mistakes take place, which is why guests should know what options they have after an accident that impacts them.
Who is Responsible for My State or County Fair Accident?
There are several parties that could be responsible for an accident that affects you at a state or county fair. Under California’s premises liability laws, you are supposed to be protected at a fair under a “duty of care” that is owed to all guests in these areas. This means that amusement park and fair operators, as well as other related parties, must remove any hazards that are known to be on the premises.
Here are some parties who could be liable for an accident at the Merced County Fair:
- The State of California or State Fair Officials
- California Department of Food & Agriculture’s (CDFA) Division of Fairs & Expositions
- Fairground owners
- Manufacturers of park rides
- Food or retail vendors
Even if you technically signed a waiver when you purchased a ticket for the fair, an organizer could still be liable for your injuries if they were caused by a known or common hazard. You have many options and should consider speaking with an attorney if you wonder where you can turn after an accident.
What Compensation Can I Receive After a Fair Accident?
It is impossible to estimate just how much your claim could be worth in a dollar amount. However, an attorney will be able to help you determine what damages you may be able to qualify for based on the circumstances of your accident. Here are some of the damages that could be included in your case:
- Total hospital and other medical bills you have incurred or expect to experience
- Lost wages and benefits due to missed time at work
- Pain and suffering, as well as other non-economic damages
- Wrongful death damages if a life was lost due to a fair accident
- Punitive damages meant to punish a negligent party for their actions
- Rehabilitation costs
After an accident at a county or state fair, you have two years to file your claim under California’s statute of limitations. However, it is important to act as quickly as you can when evidence is fresh.
Contact a California State Fair Injury Lawyer
If you were hurt in an accident at a California state or county fair, it is important that you discuss your claim with an attorney who has handled cases like yours previously. You should not have to focus on the hospital bills that pile up against you, which is why we will handle many of these aspects for you. Contact us today at Maison Law to get started on your claim with a free and confidential case consultation. You will owe nothing upfront and our payment will come out of your settlement check.
