According to authorities, six people are dead and seven others were injured after a fourth-floor balcony collapsed. The incident occurred early Tuesday in Berkeley, California. There was a gathering at the apartment for a 21st birthday, according to two witnesses. Police have not confirmed what type of gathering it was, however they did say that they received a call about a noise disturbance about 40 minutes before the balcony collapsed.

Around 1 a.m. the police received a call about the collapse of the balcony. When the balcony collapsed, thirteen people fell from the fourth-floor to the pavement below. The building is located two blocks from the University of California, Berkeley. When rescue workers arrived, four of the victims were pronounced dead. Another victim died at the hospital. A second died a day later. The seven remaining victims suffered serious injuries and are receiving treatment. Authorities have confirmed that five of the victims and some of those injured were Irish nationals. At least a few of the victims were Irish students.

Authorities are still trying to determine what caused the balcony to collapse. According to Charles Flanagan, Ireland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, “It is too early to know the full extent of this dreadful accident.”

Premise Liability in California

Building owners are required by law to provide a safe place for occupants. This means that there are many rules and regulations they must follow. If they do not, they could be liable for any damages that occur on the property. The term “premises liability” is used to describe the liability for injuries and damages arising on a property, including apartment buildings. In California, premises liability is based on negligence. This means that if a property owner or other responsible party knows about a danger on a property, such as a faulty staircase, and does nothing to fix it, they can be held liable if someone is injured on it.

How Do You Win a Premise Liability Case?

As with any type of personal injury law, the plaintiff must show that:

  • The defendant had a duty of care, such as being the property owner
  • There was a breach of this legal duty
  • The breach was the cause of the resulting injury

Premises liability traditionally focuses on “slip and fall” cases. However, there are many instances when premise liability can be applied, such as with construction accidents, dog bite cases, or any type of injury on the premises due to negligence.

What Type of Damages Can I Collect in a Premise Liability Case?

If you are injured it is likely that you have medical bills, pain and suffering and were unable to work because of your injury. These are each damages you can seek compensation for in your premise liability suit. If you lost a loved one due to negligence on a property, you still have legal options. In this type of situation you could file a wrongful death suit. Your personal injury attorney will help you determine the type of suit you should file as well as the type of damages you should seek. When facing the long recovery process after an injury or the sudden death of a loved one, you need the help of a personal injury attorney to navigate the confusing and stressful world of civil law.