[09-11-2022] Ventura County, CA – One Driver Injured After a Carport Collapse in the University Glen

A carport collapsed, damaging several cars and injuring one driver in the University Glen residential community near CSU Channel Islands on Sunday morning, September 11, 2022.

According to Ventura County Fire Department reports, the accident occurred shortly after 9:30 a.m. in the 200 block of Frenchy’s Cove, next to the university south of Camarillo.

Firefighters discovered a collapsed section of the tile-roofed carport approximately 40 feet long and 20 feet wide. Crews on the scene initially stated that three vehicles had been completely covered and three others had been partially covered, but a campus official later provided a lower number, saying that two cars had been completely covered, two had been partially covered, and a third had been impacted but appeared undamaged.

According to Nancy Gill, a university spokesperson, the driver was a woman who lived in University Glen. Bystanders assisted her in getting out of her vehicle.

The driver reportedly hit a support beam, causing the collapse. The victim complained of back pain and was taken by ambulance to St. John’s Hospital Camarillo. She was reportedly released later that day.

No other victims were discovered beneath the collapsed structure by the fire department’s urban search-and-rescue team.

The carport collapse occurred in an area with apartments where faculty, staff, and public members live. The University Glen neighborhood has no student housing. According to her, students live in a separate Town Center community.

Officers from CSUCI’s police department remained on the scene to ensure that no one attempted to enter the red-tagged carport area.

Because the site is on state property, a state building inspector who works on campus is usually dispatched. However, a Ventura County building inspector stepped in because the campus inspector was out of town on Sunday. On Monday, the university inspector was supposed to take over.

Premises Liability Statistics

Statistics show that premises liability claims are on the rise. In 2017, nearly 6,000 such claims were filed in the United States, a 5% increase from the previous year. Moreover, the average cost of a premises liability claim rose by 6% over the same period, reaching nearly $53,000.

Some factors may be contributing to this trend. For one thing, as the population continues to grow, there are simply more people who are potential plaintiffs in premises liability cases. Additionally, many people are now more aware of their rights and are more likely to pursue legal action if they believe they have been wronged. Finally, some businesses may be cutting corners when it comes to safety to save money, which can lead to increased risks of accidents and injuries.

Property owners have a responsibility to ensure their premises are safe for visitors. This includes taking reasonable precautions to prevent accidents from occurring and promptly addressing any hazards that are discovered. Failure to do so can result in liability for any injuries on the property. In order to avoid such liability, property owners should regularly inspect their premises and take prompt action to address any potential hazards. They should also ensure that visitors are aware of any dangers on the property and take steps to ensure their safety. Property owners can help reduce the risk of premises liability accidents by taking these precautions.

Ventura County Premises Liability Lawyers

Under the theory of premises liability, property owners are responsible for accidents and injuries on their property. But it’s not that easy. For a property owner to be named in a premises liability suit and be held responsible for injuries that happened on their property, the injured party must prove:

• The property owner had a duty of care to the other party.
• The property owner broke the duty of care owed to the other party.
• The plaintiff would not have been hurt if the duty of care had not been broken.

The first step, which is to show that the property owner had a duty of care to the plaintiff, is often clear. This is because property owners must keep their property reasonably safe for everyone on it.

The property owner is also responsible for fixing any known dangers on the property, finding any unknown dangers in a place where an invitee to the property may be, or putting up signs about a danger if immediate repair is impossible.

If a property owner doesn’t find a hazard they should have, doesn’t fix a known hazard, or doesn’t warn people about it, they have broken their duty of care to people who come onto their property.

Filing a premises liability claim can be confusing and overwhelming, especially if you focus on recovering from serious injuries. When you call our experienced Ventura County premises liability attorneys at the office of Arash Law, we will focus on building your case so that you can focus on getting your life back on track after a serious injury. We offer free consultations and always work on a contingency fee arrangement.

Please call us today or reach out online to schedule your free consultation and learn more about our services.