School campuses are meant to be a safe haven for knowledge and growth, but with a typically large student body and the amount of time students spend on campus, accidents are bound to happen. When a campus injury accident does occur, the university may be liable for any damages suffered. If you or a loved one has been injured in a campus accident, contact our campus accident attorneys with Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP. We can schedule a free consultation with you to discuss your legal options for compensation.
Why Choose Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP
- We have achieved over $1 billion in compensation over our years in practice.
- Our campus accident attorneys have been representing victims for over 38 years.
- If we’re unable to get results in your case, you will owe us nothing.
Common Causes of Campus Injuries in Washington D.C.
Unsafe and improperly maintained grounds or the negligence of others on campus can cause injuries that may entitle a victim to compensation. Some examples include:
Aggravated or sexual assault – a constant concern on college campuses, as 11.2% of all college students are raped or suffer sexual assault. In 2014, there were over 17,400 incidents of forcible sexual offenses and 4,600 incidents of aggravated assault reported.
Car and pedestrian accidents – Distracted, aggressive, and substance impaired driving in parking lots on campus can all result in car accidents, possibly injuring passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists.
Slip and fall accidents – slippery floors, uneven pavement, pot holes, stairs without handrails, and countless other potential hazards can cause a slip and fall accident. This type of accident is the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in the U.S.
Hazing – Hazing rituals and pranks often cause injuries to students, even though fraternities and sororities have anti-hazing policies in place.
Liability in a Washington D.C. Campus Accident
The exact circumstances of how your injury occurred will dictate liability for your injury after a campus accident, but it will typically fall on either or both the university and the at-fault negligent party.
- Premises Liability
Under the law of premises liability, property owners are responsible for providing safe conditions for visitors and guests. When premises owners fail in their duty of care to keep the property safe, they may be liable when people suffer an injury as a result.
In order to hold a university responsible in these cases, foreseeability plays a huge role. It must be proven that the injury was foreseeable and the university did not make an effort to prevent the dangerous condition or warn visitors of the dangerous condition that caused injury.
For example, many injuries on campuses occur due to negligent security. If there had been multiple incidents of assault occurring in a parking lot, yet the university did not increase or improve security measures to prevent future attacks, they can be liable when one occurs.
Another common instance where premises liability applies, are in cases of slip and fall accidents. When slip and falls injuries are the result of slippery floors, broken steps, uneven pavement, or any other form of improper maintenance or lack of reasonable care, the university could be responsible for compensating victims.
- Negligence of Others
In addition to the university, when the negligent actions of another party have directly caused your injury they can be liable as well. For example, a personal lawsuit can be filed against a person who commits an assault or a person who injures someone in a prank.
When You Need a Washington D.C. Campus Accident Attorney
Pursuing a claim against a university requires a high level of legal knowledge and skill. In addition to insurance company legal teams, universities tend to be represented by their own top defense attorneys. An experienced campus accident attorney can dramatically impact the outcome of your case. They can afford to hire experts to investigate the accident and provide strong evidence proving fault. Evidence you will need in order to obtain the compensation that you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Get Help from Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP
Our qualified team of Washington, D.C. campus accident attorneys will exhaust every option to obtain the compensation you are justified. Contact us today to schedule a free, no obligation case evaluation.
Koonz McKenney Johnson & Depaolis serve residents of Washington DC including those living in Capitol Hill, Columbia Heights, Downtown District of Columbia, Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, and Mount Vernon.