If you’ve suffered an injury from faulty rental equipment in California, you may have a personal injury case against the rental company, the manufacturer of the equipment, or other responsible parties. Whether the equipment was a bike, scooter, kayak, power tool, sports gear, or machinery, California law requires rental businesses to provide safe, properly maintained equipment to customers. When they fail to do so, and you’re injured as a result, you may be entitled to compensation.
⚠️ Common Rental Equipment Injuries
Injuries from faulty rental equipment can range from mild to life-altering, depending on the type of equipment and how it failed. Common examples include:
- Bone fractures (from equipment breaking mid-use or collapsing)
- Lacerations and cuts (from sharp, rusted, or broken parts)
- Head injuries (especially in biking, scooter, or helmet rentals)
- Burns or electrocution (from malfunctioning electrical tools or appliances)
- Joint and soft tissue injuries (from sudden equipment failure or falls)
- Spinal cord injuries (in serious falls or crashes)
🛠️ Common Scenarios Leading to Injury
Some common situations where rental equipment injuries occur:
- A bike or scooter with faulty brakes causes a crash
- A kayak, paddleboard, or jet ski has a defective or leaky hull, leading to water-related injuries
- A power tool malfunctions or sparks due to electrical or mechanical defects
- A ladder or scaffold collapses due to poor maintenance or assembly
- A helmet or safety harness fails during use because it’s worn or defective
- Gym or sports equipment breaks during normal use
⚖️ Who Can Be Held Liable?
Several parties may be legally responsible for your injury, depending on the cause of the equipment failure:
1. Rental Company
Rental companies have a legal duty to inspect, maintain, and repair their equipment regularly. If they rent out equipment that is:
- Worn out
- Improperly maintained
- Missing essential safety components
- Not accompanied by proper instructions or warnings
…they may be liable for negligence.
2. Equipment Manufacturer
If the equipment failed due to a design or manufacturing defect, the manufacturer (and potentially the distributor or retailer) may be held responsible under product liability law.
3. Third-Party Maintenance Providers
If the rental company hired a third party to service or maintain their equipment and that party failed to do so properly, they may share in the liability.
🧩 What You Need to Prove in a Personal Injury Claim
To succeed in a California personal injury case involving rental equipment, you’ll need to show:
- Duty of care – The rental company or manufacturer owed you a duty to provide safe, functional equipment.
- Breach of duty – They failed to inspect, repair, or maintain the equipment, or allowed a defective product to be used.
- Causation – This breach directly caused your injury.
- Damages – You suffered losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
📁 Key Evidence to Support Your Claim
To build a strong case, collect the following evidence:
- Photos or videos of the equipment before and after the incident
- Medical records documenting your injuries
- Witness statements (from employees, other users, or bystanders)
- Rental agreement or waiver (some waivers can be challenged in court)
- Repair or maintenance records (to show neglect)
- Instruction manuals or warning labels (if none were provided)
- Expert analysis (from engineers or safety professionals, especially in product defect cases)
💰 What Compensation Can You Receive?
If your claim is successful, you may be entitled to:
✅ Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Cost of equipment replacements or damaged belongings
✅ Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
⚠️ What About Waivers?
Most rental agreements include liability waivers, but California courts often do not enforce waivers in cases of gross negligence, willful misconduct, or if the waiver is unclear, overly broad, or hidden in fine print.
An attorney can review the waiver and assess whether it can be legally challenged.
👨⚖️ Do You Need a Lawyer?
Yes. Faulty rental equipment cases can be legally complex due to:
- The involvement of multiple parties (rental companies, manufacturers, maintenance contractors)
- Potential issues with liability waivers
- The need for expert testimony or technical evidence
A qualified personal injury attorney can:
- Investigate and build a solid case
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Help overcome waiver defenses
- Represent you in court if needed
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
How To Schedule A Consultation:
Please call us at 909-848-8448 to schedule a free consultation/case evaluation or complete the form immediately below. [Please note certain formalities must be completed to retain the Law Offices of James R. Dickinson, such as the signing of a legal fee agreement [see “Disclaimers”]].