Store’s negligence with statue ends in fatal injuries for boy

On behalf of Mary Alexander & Associates, P.C. posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Wednesday, June 11, 2014.

A tragic and unfortunate accident in the Fisherman’s Wharf area of San Francisco this month could lead to compensation if the victim’s family decides to take legal action in the case. For those who have not heard yet, a 2-year-old boy suffered fatal injuries after a statue fell on him last week. Reports indicate that he was playing on the statue and had wrapped his arms and legs around it before it toppled onto him.

It appeared at first that the boy had only suffered a nose bleed, which was treated at the scene by emergency crews. But when he was taken to San Francisco General Hospital later, it became apparent that his injuries were much more severe. He died a few hours later from serious internal injuries.

Although police are not sure how much the statue weighed, the fact that it caused serious injury to the boy was enough for officers to cite a store for placing the statue on the sidewalk. It’s unknown whether any criminal charges will be filed or not.

It’s also unknown if the boy’s family, who were visiting from out of time at the time of the accident, intend on taking legal action for the boy’s death. Based on the facts so far, it’s possible to argue negligence, especially if the store failed to secure the statue before displaying it or failed to post anything about the possible risk of injury it posed to small children. If the victim’s family were to file a wrongful death claim, they could receive compensation in the end. As many of our readers already know, this could be used to help pay for medical treatment as well as the unexpected burial costs this accident has caused the family to incur.

Source: The Los Angeles Daily News, “Police: 2-year-old dies after San Francisco statue falls on him,” Terry Collins, June 9, 2014