Posted on Thursday, February 27th, 2020 at 11:44 pm
Slips, trips, and falls can disrupt your life and result in chronic pain and permanent impairments. If a fall results in your injury, you might incur substantial medical expenses and lose time from work, which results in additional financial losses. A California slip and fall attorney can help you investigate the cause of the fall to determine if a property owner or other party is responsible for your damages.
Proving Liability for a Slip and Fall
Premises liability laws in California hold property owners accountable for the conditions on their properties.
If a property owner causes a dangerous property condition, fails to warn of property hazards, or fails to correct a dangerous or hazardous condition, the owner may be financially liable for injuries, damages, and losses that result because of an injury on the property.
Proving liability for a slip and fall claim can be complicated. Working with an experienced attorney can help. An attorney investigates the fall to gather evidence proving the property owner is liable.
In most cases, you must prove that the owner:
- Caused the dangerous or hazardous condition or allowed the condition to remain on the property;
- Failed to repair or correct a condition that could result in injury;
- Knew or should have known about the hazard or danger;
- The fall was a result of a condition on the property that an owner would have reasonably discovered with adequate maintenance and upkeep; and,
- The person suffered damages as a result of the fall.
15 Common Places That a California Slip and Fall Accident Might Occur
A slip, trip, or fall can occur anywhere. It can occur on private, commercial, or government property. Property owners, landlords, tenants, government agencies, businesses, and other parties can be held liable if they are negligent in the maintenance and upkeep of property.
Some common locations for slip and fall accidents include:
- Government buildings, including the DMV, tax office, and court buildings
- Bars, restaurants, and pubs
- Retail stores, including shopping malls, big-box stores, and small shops
- Grocery stores and supermarkets
- Construction sites, offices, and other places of employment
- Residential property, including the homes of family, friends, and neighbors
- Amusement parks
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Stairs, elevators, and escalators
- Sporting arenas and entertainment facilities
- Parking lots, sidewalks, and driveways
- Swimming pools
- Cruise ships
- Resorts
- Gas stations
What Should You Do After a California Slip and Fall Accident?
Reporting the accident, documenting the accident scene, and going to the doctor are usually the top three steps whenever you fall on another party’s property. Make careful notes about who takes the report of the fall. Ask for a copy of the report.
Whenever possible, take photographs of where the fall occurred. A 360-degree video of the area can be very helpful. Also, ask witnesses if they mind giving you their names and contact information. Preserve your clothing and shoes, in case they become evidence in a personal injury case.
When you are stable, contact our California slip and fall attorneys for a free case review. Let our legal team handle the investigation, gathering evidence, identifying the liable parties, filing an insurance claim, and negotiating a fair settlement.
Contact a California Slip and Fall Attorney for Help
Contact The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our California slip and fall accident lawyers.
