Albuquerque residents do their best to keep their children out of harm’s way but sometimes accidents happen because of dangerous circumstances out of their control. For example, unsafe premises, faulty safety railings, and unfenced swimming pools have caused many children to suffer serious injuries. In such instances, the person or business that is responsible for maintaining those premises can sometimes be held liable for neglecting to maintain their premises appropriately.
On a recent Saturday, a child suffered a serious injury after falling in a mall. The child fell to the ground from a balcony located on the second floor. The child was transported to the hospital to receive treatment for his injuries, which were fortunately reported to be non-life-threatening.
While this accident did not occur in this state, New Mexico law requires that businesses and individuals maintain certain safety standards to prevent accidents and injuries. For example, staircases must be well-lit and wet floors must be clearly marked. Swimming pools must also be safely fenced in so that no children wander accidentally inside.
When an Albuquerque child suffers a serious injury because a business failed to keep its premises safe, the hospital bills and other medical costs can be astronomical. In such cases, parents may be able to seek restitution to help pay for the medical care by filing a civil lawsuit for damages. Considering that many children and families are still living without health insurance, a personal injury claim of this type could help prevent injuries related to an accident from financially bankrupt a family.
Source: statesman.com, Child injured after fall from Highland Mall balcony, Vickie Welborn, Feb. 25, 2014
