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Who’s Responsible for Farmers Market Injuries in OC?

By Hess & Nghiem on October 4, 2021

In Orange County, we love our Farmers markets. These markets are extremely popular throughout the region. The vast choices in freshly harvested fruits, veggies, and specialty baked goods, along with food stands make Farmers markets a favored trip. When attending a Farmers market, people rarely consider the risk of suffering an injury – but it happens. When it does, who is responsible?

Types of Farmers Market Injury Cases – What Happened?

The process of filing a claim or lawsuit will be based on the facts in the case. At Farmers markets, the venue is full of canopies, tents, and umbrellas, all of which can pose a danger to a visitor. A collapsing tent or canopy can be dangerous, and the tripping hazards related to stakes, lines, or poles. An umbrella can pose a danger when too low, with the jutting ribs at eye level.

Massive numbers of vehicles are entering and leaving area parking, and vendors in the early hours are arriving, backing in and out, and at the end of the day, leaving. All these conditions create a situation that could lead to an injury to a pedestrian or other driver or passenger. One well-reported case of injuries at a Farmers market involved an older man who drove directly into the crowd, killing 10 people and injuring 70.

Some people attend Farmers markets accompanied by a dog. The many people and other dogs in the area may put the animal into an aggressive mode, causing it to bite an attendee. Dog bites can be very serious, tearing flesh, prone to infections, and leaving visible scars, not to mention long-lasting trauma.

Filing a Claim – Who is Responsible?

The facts in the case will reveal the responsible party or parties. The negligent party may be a vendor, a driver, a dog owner, another guest, or the Farmers market operator, or the city, or another party. The first step in filing your claim or lawsuit involves identifying and naming all liable parties. The collection of evidence should also occur as early as possible to interview witnesses who can provide testimony about what they observed. You would be well-served to contact a personal injury lawyer that can manage your case as the process can be complex.

What Safety Measures Should be in Place in Farmers Markets in the OC?

Vendors are required to reduce obstructions on the walking surfaces, including equipment, boxes, produce, cords, tent poles, stakes, lines, and other hazards. The safety of the market will reflect how well the venue operator manages these critical points:

  • Clear walkways must be maintained around all tents and stalls.
  • Vendors will be required to follow the requirements of the venue regarding how their tents, canopies, or umbrellas are erected and stabilized.
  • Vendors must be set up and ready to operate before the market opens.
  • Leaving the venue can only occur when the market has been officially closed, or until customers have all left the area.

Injuries at Farmers Markets in Orange County

The types of injuries that could occur include, but are not limited to:

  • Dog Bite Injuries
  • Vehicle Accidents
  • Head Injuries
  • Brain Injuries
  • Back Injuries
  • Lacerations
  • Broken Bones
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Neck Injuries
  • Internal Injuries

Call HN Injury Lawyers Today.

At HN Injury Lawyers, we provide legal representation in Farmers Market injury cases occurring in Orange County, whether in Garden Grove, Irvine, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, San Clemente, Santa Ana or other communities in the OC.

Contact Us Today at (657) 333-5726 for a free consultation. Cases taken on a contingency fee basis – no legal fees unless we are successful.

Posted in: Personal Injury

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