A Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyer Can Help You
To some, a fall accident may seem like a relatively minor problem. For many accident victims, however, a slip, trip, or fall can mean serious injuries and seemingly endless medical bills. In fact, falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in the United States.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to unsafe conditions on another person’s property, you may be entitled to financial compensation. A personal injury attorney with The California Advocates can help you in your recovery.
Why The Advocates?
The Advocates will be by your side from the moment you contact us to the day your case is settled. We can help you:
Understand the claims process
We are available 24/7 to answer questions and provide updates on your case.
Build your claim
Your legal team will help gather evidence and keep track of medical records to build your claim.
Negotiate with adjusters
Insurance companies are notorious for trying to avoid offering fair settlements to injury victims. We will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Take your case to court
Most cases are settled in negotiations, but if the other party refuses to make a fair offer, we will represent you in the courtroom.
The Advocates Will Be by Your Side to Assist You. We Are Prepared To:
- Help you access adequate medical treatment
- Work with you to understand your medical bills
- Communicate with your employer regarding your injuries
- Meet with you at your home or place of work if you can’t make it to our office
- Compile your medical records
California Slip-and-Fall Statistics and Premises Liability Laws
Slip, trip, and fall statistics
- More than 1.4 million California adults aged 65 and older reported a fall in 2020.
- California has one of the lowest rates of fall-related deaths among older adults. Still, more than 2,000 older adults died from a fall in 2021.
- In 2021, 78 people died from fall injuries while on the job.
- One out of five falls causes a serious injury.
- The highest rates of fall accidents happen to people who are over 65 years old, people with disabilities, and people who live in rural areas.
Common causes of slip-and-fall accidents
- Unmarked wet floors: When a spill happens in a public space, like a grocery store, it should be marked and cleaned as quickly as possible.
- Uneven floors: Loose carpeting and floorboards, cracks in pavement, and damaged surfaces can all act as tripping hazards.
- Unsafe stairways: It can be easy to fall down steep, narrow stairways, especially those without handrails.
- Falls from work equipment: Many workers’ compensation claims are a result of slips and falls while working, especially from one level to another.
- Icy walkways: During the wintertime, snow and ice buildup can create slippery surfaces in parking lots and on sidewalks.
Common slip-and-fall injuries
Slip and fall injuries can range from mild to life-threatening. Some common injuries resulting from falls include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones, especially the hip and/or pelvis
- Sprains and strains, particularly to the wrists, hands, or ankles
- Bruises and lacerations
Who is at fault for my slip-and-fall accident?
If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property, you will need to prove negligence by establishing the following:
- Duty of Care: The defendant owned, leased, occupied, insured, or controlled the property and was responsible for keeping it safe for the plaintiff.
- Breach of duty: The property owner was negligent and knew hazardous conditions were present.
- Causation: The dangerous conditions on the property caused the plaintiff’s injury.
- Damages: The plaintiff suffered damages such as medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, or even funeral expenses for a loved one due to the property owner’s negligence.
An experienced slip-and-fall lawyer can help you determine whether you have a case.
What damages can I seek in a slip-and-fall case?
Slip-and-fall victims may be able to seek several different kinds of damages, depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Some common damages sought in slip-and-fall cases include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages and loss of future earnings
- Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses, in the case of wrongful death
This is a general list. Your personal injury attorney can help you determine the actual worth of your case.
What is the statute of limitations for slips and falls?
All personal injury cases are subject to a statute of limitations, or time limit for filing a claim. If you plan to file a slip-and-fall lawsuit, you will need to do it before the statute of limitations expires.
In the state of California, the statute of limitations for slips and falls is two years. This may seem like a long time, but the claims process can take months or even years to navigate. For this reason, it is a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as you believe you have a case.
The accident attorneys with The Advocates law firm can help you get started on your injury claim right away. Contact us for a free consultation.
Why should I hire a California slip-and-fall attorney?
If you’ve been injured due to hazardous conditions on another person’s property, it may not be easy to obtain the financial compensation you deserve. The at-fault party’s insurance company will likely do everything they can to avoid offering you a fair settlement.
The Advocates injury attorneys will take on negotiations with these multi-million dollar corporations. If they refuse to make a fair offer for your slip-and-fall claim, we will take your case to court.
At The Advocates, we understand that your injury case is as unique as you are. We will be by your side every step of the way to listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide you with sound legal advice.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve competent, compassionate legal representation for your claim. You deserve an Advocate.