Glendale California Slip & Fall Personal Injury Attorney
Tripping, slipping, or falling can be not only embarrassing, but they can also be the cause of tremendous pain and suffering. You have every reason to expect that the home or business that you are visiting is safe and well-maintained. After all, you would not be there if you thought it to be hazardous.
Still, situations arise, and accidents happen, many times at no fault of the guest. One example of this is when someone is injured on another’s property after they have tripped or slipped and fallen, due to the property manager or owner’s negligence. If you have fallen victim to this unfortunate circumstance, you should be compensated for your damages. For that, you need the help of a qualified slip and fall attorney.
At Glendale Law Firm, our slip and fall lawyers have the experience necessary to pursue the compensation you rightfully deserve. We have been successful at bringing justice to the forefront for our clients and helping to ensure they recover what they have lost and could potentially lose in the future. We would like to make that happen for you as well!
Call us for a Free Consultation at (818) 818-1948.
Do I Need a Lawyer for my Slip and Fall Accident?
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, there is no doubt you need an attorney on your side! You will get help with:
- Answers to all legal questions
- Filing a premises liability claim
- Adhering to important deadlines
- Investigating who the at-fault party is
- Pursuing compensation
You have been suffering and it is time to get some relief. Doing this alone can be overwhelming and unbeneficial.
If you are friendly with the property owner, making your own injury claim may feel too personal and awkward, especially if they are not in agreement with you. Large companies and governmental agencies can be intimidating and too full of power for an individual to handle on their own. An experienced slip and fall lawyer has what it takes to go toe-to-toe with any at-fault party and come out on top.
What Should I do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
Immediately after a slip and fall accident, you should take a moment to regain your composure and assess how you are feeling. If paramedics are necessary, call for help or ask someone to do so for you.
If you do not need emergency assistance and are feeling able, take pictures or videos of the accident area for future reference. Then, notify the property owner, manager, or security team in order to file an accident report.
This is an important step, even if you think you have not sustained any injuries. At this time, your adrenaline is pumping, oftentimes numbing injuries that you may take notice of in the hours or days ahead. This way, you will have documentation of the incident, so be sure to get a copy.
Lastly, contact a personal injury attorney so you will have the guidance and power necessary to recover your losses. Do not face this on your own. Call Glendale Law Firm for the help you deserve at (818) 818-1948.
How is Fault Determined in a Slip and Fall Accident?
If you slip and fall on another’s property, liability is determined by many factors, but most importantly through negligence. Was the property owner or manager negligent in keeping their property reasonably safe for visitors? If the answer is yes, then they are liable for damages the victim incurs.
In the state of California, the slip and fall law also differentiates between whether a visitor is an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. An invitee is a person who is invited onto the premises for the purpose of business, like an employee, contractor, or patron. A licensee is a guest invited for social reasons, and of course, a trespasser is not invited at all. Whether invited or not, they all may be entitled to damages, should the owner be found negligent.
This neglect of property upkeep by the owner is demonstrated by dangerous conditions. These conditions may be due to a lack of thoroughly inspecting premises for damages and possible repairs. Not fixing or replacing faulty items or surfaces is also a factor in owner responsibility.
Another owner liability occurs when a dangerous situation is unable to be promptly remedied and there is no warning to guests of the potential hazard. For instance, if there is a large spill, creating a slippery floor, a sign must be placed so that visitors are able to avoid the area. If someone happens to slip and fall and sustains injury without reasonably being made aware of the dangerous condition, they likely have grounds for a personal injury case.
What Might Help Me Win a Slip and Fall Personal Injury Case?
To win a slip and fall case, you will need to prove that the owner is at fault. You would then need evidence that shows they did not make a reasonable effort to keep their property safe. That being said, the best way to win is to have an experienced lawyer representing you and fighting for your rights. We can help with evidence you have gathered, like:
- Pictures or video of the accident area, including what specifically caused you to slip and fall
- Pictures or video of your physical injuries
- The clothes and shoes you were wearing
- Accident report
- Medical reports and records
- Surveillance footage
- Witness statements or photos/video
You may not have been able to collect all of these pieces of evidence, but each item you do possess can help to show where fault lies and increase your chances of recovering damages.
What are Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?
Though it seems obvious that a wet or icy surface could cause someone to slip and fall, there are many hazardous situations that are to blame for such accidents. Common culprits include:
- Wet floors, due to recent mopping or waxing
- Wet floors due to a spill not yet cleaned up
- Icy walkways and parking lots
- Potholes or loose gravel in parking lots
- Tripping hazards, such as loose rugs or flooring, as well as electrical cords
- Obstacles in the way of walking, such as merchandise, trash, or any other debris
- Poor lighting that limits visibility
- A step up or down that is not clearly marked
- Lack of handrails on stairs
In many cases, accidents could have been easily avoided, had care been taken to make this hazard known. A caution sign or tape that warns people of the danger is an easy first step to take in keeping visitors safe. Salting icy areas is an effective way to avoid outdoor falls. The list goes on. Yet, none of these steps were taken, and this is why the owner must compensate anyone who has fallen victim to these circumstances.
What Damages are Typically Recoverable in a Slip and Fall Accident?
The damages you may recover in a slip and fall accident vary, depending on the severity of your injuries, as well as your level of pain and suffering. Typically, you will receive financial restitution for:
- Loss of wages, both past, and future
- Potential loss of employment or ability to earn
- Medical bills, both past, and future
- Pain and suffering (physical and mental)
The amount of financial damages awarded in a premises liability case coincides with the varying degrees of the aforementioned and depends on the accident circumstances. Though injuries range from broken bones to internal organ damage, to brain and spinal injuries, these amounts can all be quite substantial.
Do not leave your financial future up to chance or cross your fingers and hope you have made all the right decisions. Take control and make one choice, the best one; get a personal injury attorney. Better yet, call the slip and fall attorneys at Glendale Law Firm for a complimentary consultation. We will undoubtedly make a wonderful team!
Call Today at (818) 818-1948.