According to reports, a 27 year old man is dead after an external stairway collapsed at an apartment complex in Folsom. Investigators have concluded that the collapse occurred around 2:40 p.m. between the second and third floor. The man, whose identity has not been released, was critically injured and died at the scene. According to Larry Kamer, a spokesman for the Legends at Willow Creek Apartment Complex, where the incident occurred, the victim did not live at the complex but was visiting someone. In response to the collapse, Kamer stated that the company was aware of the issue and was in the process of fixing it. Some of the staircases are currently supported by tall, wooden beams. Kamer stated that “Holiday or no holiday we are going to get crews out here this weekend to at least prop up some of the remaining stairways.”
This recent event echoes a similar event a year ago at a different building in Folsom. Luckily, no one was hurt during that collapse. Witnesses describe the previous collapse as it sounded like a truck hit the building and shook the whole building.”
While Kamer described the plan for fixing the issue, an individual man stopped and stated, “The first wood block went up May of 2014 has not yet come down, it’s still there.” Kamer responded by saying they were working to determine why the repairs were taking a year to be completed. This incident will continue to be investigated by the fire department and the Folsom Building Department.
Premise Liability in California
Premise liability is a special area of California law that deals with a property owner’s responsibility in maintaining a safe environment for those who are on the property. This care means that a property owner is responsible for maintaining safe walkways at apartment complexes, offering proper lighting, ensuring stairways are safe and addressing any other issue that could harm residents, or visitors the property.
When you are able to show that the property owner is at fault for the injuries, and liable, you can collect compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other issues that arise due to your accident.
What Do I Do If I Am Injured on a Property?
If you are injured in a slip and fall or other premise accident, you may have grounds for a personal injury suit. If you believe that the property owner was negligent in not addressing the issue that caused your injury, be sure to speak to a personal injury attorney. Your attorney can review your case, help you gather evidence, and represent you in negotiations. When facing a personal injury case, you should not proceed alone. Speak with a personal injury attorney today about your accident.
