When you’re a passenger at an airport, the excitement or the nervousness can make you forget the hazards that may be present around you. If you’re not vigilant enough, you may end up in an accident that can flip your entire life around.
Ehline Law and our personal injury attorneys have more than 15 years of experience helping injured passengers across airports in California get the compensation they deserve. Contact our Torrance municipal airport and museum accident attorneys if you’ve suffered injuries at the airport to learn more about your rights as an injured traveler.
About Torrance Municipal Airport and Museum
Also referred to as Zamperini Field, the Torrance Municipal Airport in Los Angeles County covers 506 acres of land and has two concrete runways. In 1943, the United States Army Air Forces completed the construction of the Torrance Municipal Airport, which served as an emergency landing ground for new pilots during training. However, after its closure following World War II, the US military handed over the airport to the city of Torrance, which renamed the airport the Zamperini Field.
Although the Zamperini Field has a small terminal with a bathroom, a flight planning room, and a helipad for the neighboring Torrance Medical Center, it had 173,027 aircraft operations in the year ending May 31, 2005. It is also home to the Western Museum of Flight, which was previously located in Hawthorne, California.
Slip and Fall Accidents at the Torrance Municipal Airport or Museum
One of the most common personal injury accidents is slip and fall, which can happen at a private or public location, including Torrance Municipal Airport and Museum.
The following are some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents that may happen at the Torrance Municipal Airport or Museum:
- Icy surfaces and uncleared snow
- Wet parking lots or standing water
- Broken, uneven, or cracked sidewalks
- Spilled beverages and food items
- Tripping hazards, such as loose wires, ropes, torn carpets, and others
- Broken handrails on staircases
- Poor or inadequate lighting
- Faulty escalators that cause passengers or visitors to fall.
Other Accidents at Torrance Municipal Airport and Museum
Besides slip and fall accidents at the Torrance Municipal Airport and Museum, other types of accidents can happen, including the following.
Car Accidents
When a passenger is in a hurry to catch their flight, they may not be careful while driving their car, resulting in an auto accident.
A car accident, a semi-truck crash, or a motorcycle accident at the Torrance Municipal Airport or Museum can also happen due to a lack of traffic signs, a slippery parking lot, or an aggressive passenger who has just missed their flight.
Aviation Accidents
In January 2019, A Cessna 177, N2323Y, airplane collided with a building less than a mile away from the Torrance Municipal Airport, resulting in the pilot’s death and a passenger’s injuries.
Another accident reported by Los Angeles Times occurred in November 2019, when Cirrus SR-22, a single-engine plane, departed from Torrance Municipal Airport, went down near Cable Airport, and crashed into a home, causing the death of the pilot.
Aviation accidents can happen anywhere, whether in the sky or on the ground. Passengers boarding the aircraft can also suffer injuries if they slip on the sky bridge or if the stairs leading to the airplane collapses.
Ground Staff Accidents
Sometimes, an airport can become too busy, creating a situation where minor errors can lead to serious accidents. Even if the airport isn’t busy, a negligent employee can cause a car accident by recklessly driving a forklift carrying cargo or any other vehicle resulting in harm to passengers or other employees.
Food Poisoning
The Torrance Municipal Airport has a vending machine with food items and beverages. Although snacks in vending machines have a long expiration date, they can turn sour if the conditions are not suitable or if the owner fails to replenish old stock.
Types of Injuries That Victims May Sustain at the Torrance Municipal Airport or Museum
The types of injuries sustained at the Torrance Municipal Airport or Museum will vary depending on the nature of the accident.
For example, a slip and fall accident can result in a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, or hand and wrist injuries. On the other hand, a rear-end car accident in the parking lot can result in minor injuries such as whiplash injuries.
When an accident occurs, the injured victim must seek medical assistance. In some cases, where the injuries may seem minor or are not so apparent, it is still crucial to get a medical evaluation done at a hospital.
Some injuries can take time to manifest. Others may be difficult to diagnose from the surface (internal damage) or lead to medical complications if the injured victim does not seek immediate medical treatment.
Can You Recover Damages Following Your Accident at the Torrance Municipal Airport or Museum?
Under California personal injury law, injured victims may be able to recover compensation for the damages caused by another’s negligence.
Whether you’ve suffered serious injuries in a car accident at the airport’s parking lot or are hurt in a slip and fall accident in the Torrance Municipal Airport or Museum, you may be able to recover the following types of compensatory damages.
Economic Damages
Injuries arising from an accident at the Torrance Municipal Airport or Museum can lead to economic damages for which injured victims can pursue compensation.
The following are the three main types of economic damages recoverable under personal injury law:
- Medical Expenses: Depending on the severity of the injuries, medical expenses could include hospitalization costs, prescription medications, therapy fees, rehabilitation expenses, home modification costs, and other medical bills.
- Lost Wages: An injury from an accident can cause the victim to miss work, which can affect their financial status. Depending on how severe the injuries are, an accident victim may have to skip work for a few days, weeks, or even months. In some cases involving permanent injuries, the victim may never be able to go back to work. Under personal injury law, injured victims can recover current and past lost wages and future loss of earning potential.
- Property Damage: In a slip and fall accident, property damages are not common, but in an auto accident, they can arise after your car gets damaged. Victims can pursue property damage when filing a personal injury claim against the negligent party.
Non-economic Damages
An accident at the Torrance Municipal Airport or Museum can leave victims with non-monetary losses for which they can recover compensation. These may include pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, mental anguish, and many more.
In cases involving wrongful death, Under California law, surviving family members may be able to recover the following types of damages when pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit:
- Medical costs
- Funeral costs
- Loss of the decedent’s financial contributions
- Pain and suffering
It is crucial to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney to help assess the damages you qualify for and evaluate the value of your claim.
Who Is Liable for Your Injuries at Torrance Municipal Airport or Museum?
Before accident victims can pursue personal injury claims against the negligent party, they must identify the party liable for their injuries. The person responsible for the accident will vary according to the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Property Owners May Be Liable for Your Injuries
For example, a slip and fall accident at an airport could lead to liability for the property owner, in this case, the city of Torrance, as they own the Torrance Municipal Airport. However, the Southern California Historical Aviation Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization, manages the Western Museum of Flight, which means they would be liable if the slip and fall accident occurred on their property.
A Negligent Driver or Employee May Be Responsible for the Damages
A car accident due to another driver’s negligence would give rise to liability for the negligent driver and not the property owner, but if an employee of the Torrance Airport or Museum is responsible for the car accident, then the property owner or occupier will be liable for the damages.
The Airline Could Be Liable for Your Injuries
If you’ve suffered injuries while boarding or disembarking the aircraft or due to violations of the Federal Aviation Administration regulations by the airline or its employees, the airline may be liable for your injuries.
Different laws may apply depending on the type of flight you’re taking. Most flights flying from the Torrance Municipal Aircraft are domestic flights which means the personal injury law will apply to your case, but in the case of international flights, the Montreal Convention 1999 may kick in.
Whether you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence or had a slip or fall accident at the Torrance Municipal Airport or Museum, it is essential that you speak to an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case.
How Can Ehline Law’s Personal Injury Attorney Help with Your Torrance Municipal Airport and Museum Case?
Whether you’re looking to file a wrongful death claim or a personal injury lawsuit, Ehline Law personal injury attorneys can help you in the following ways.
Our Lawyer Can Help Identify the Liable Party
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, a negligent driver, airline, Torrance Airport or Museum management, another passenger, or any other party may be liable for your injuries.
Sometimes, multiple parties may be liable in an accident case, and injury victims without legal representation often lose monetary damages in such situations.
Ehline Law firm has more than 15 law offices across California. We have the resources to help investigate the accident, identify the parties liable for your injuries, and pursue them for maximum compensation. Our personal injury attorneys don’t leave money damages on the table!
Ehline Law Attorney Can Help Navigate the Laws
There may be one or multiple laws that may apply to your case. You need an excellent attorney with a superior track record to help assess the case and its laws and guide you on your legal options.
Ehline Law is an award-winning law firm that has helped over 3,000 injured clients recover more than $150 million in settlements and successful verdicts.
We deeply understand local and international laws and regulations and can help you navigate complex legal waters.
We Can Help Gather Evidence and Build a Strong Case
Our personal injury attorneys know the type of evidence required to build a trial-ready case. We can use our resources to investigate your accident and gather the necessary evidence to establish the elements of negligence and increase your chances of recovering compensation.
Our Lawyer Can Assist in Evaluating the Damages
Evaluating damages can be challenging, and if you’re not sure what you’re doing, you’ll end up with little to no compensation following your accident.
Our Torrance law office has connections with medical professionals; we can bring their expertise when evaluating damages.
Besides professional medical expertise, our skilled lawyers use previous personal injury case verdicts to help determine the value of a case.
We Can Deal with the Insurance Company to Negotiate a Fair Settlement
Handling the insurance company and its adjuster is one of the most challenging aspects of a personal injury claim. We have a stellar nationwide reputation, and when we pursue a personal injury case, the insurance company knows they must bring their best offer. Our attorneys can help you avoid all the hurdles and challenges claimants without legal representation faces.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law
If you’ve suffered serious injuries at Torrance Airport or Museum in Los Angeles County, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation or visit our Torrance/South Bay law office to discuss your case, as you may be eligible for compensation.
