Were You Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles workers' compensation attorney team at Angeleno Accident Lawyers

According to the National Floor Safety Institute, every year, over 8 million people visit the emergency room for falls, representing the leading cause of visits (21.3%). Slips and falls account for over 1 million visits, or 12% of total falls. Adults over the age of 65 face the highest risk of suffering a serious injury. If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident, our experienced Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer is here to help.

Slip and fall accidents can happen in a grocery store, a parking lot, a sidewalk, or a staircase. They can be caused by various factors, such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, loose rugs, poor lighting, or lack of handrails. When a property owner or occupant fails to maintain their premises in a safe condition, they may be liable for the injuries and damages that result from their negligence.

We will hold the negligent property owner accountable while we obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. Angeleno Accident Lawyers is dedicated to helping slip-and-fall accident victims in Los Angeles County and Southern California. Call us to schedule a free consultation at (213) 510-9246.

No Win. No Fee. Guaranteed.

Slip and fall victims should not be worried about the high cost of hiring a lawyer. Fortunately, most personal injury lawyers in California work on a contingency fee, meaning they do not charge an hourly fee but rather collect a fee at the end when a settlement is reached. If the lawyer fails to win a settlement for their client, the client pays nothing.

We also offer a free initial consultation, where we will evaluate your case and answer any questions you may have. We will explain the legal process and what to expect from start to finish.

If you have suffered a slip and fall injury or would like to learn more about the services our award-winning law firm provides, call us today to speak with one of our slip and fall attorneys.

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Why Hire Angeleno Accident Lawyers to Handle Your Slip and Fall Case?

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you need a legal team that will fight for your rights and interests. At Angeleno Accident Lawyers, we are committed to helping injured victims get the justice and compensation they deserve. Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers have the skills and experience to handle any type of slip and fall lawsuit. Here are more reasons to hire our personal injury law firm:

 

  • We have a 99% success rate
  • Our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for our clients in settlements and verdicts
  • Named National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, among many other accolades. 
  • We take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if we win. 

How Can Los Angeles Slip and Fall Lawyers Help?

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A slip and fall accident can lead to serious injuries, which can result in medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. A Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer can help you by investigating the cause of the accident, gathering evidence to prove liability and damages, and filing an insurance claim. This is not something you want to tackle on your own. Your focus should be on healing from your injuries.

An experienced lawyer will also help you through negotiations with the insurance company, who will most likely try to offer you a lowball settlement offer. Our lawyers do not fall for their tactics, and will guide you through the process so you receive the best possible outcome. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we will take your case to trial. Call our slip and fall attorneys in Los Angeles to learn more about how we can help.

What Is a Slip and Fall Accident?

A slip and fall accident is a type of personal injury case where a person slips, trips, or falls on someone else's property and suffers an injury. These types of accidents typically occur due to the negligence of a property or business owner who failed to maintain or repair a dangerous condition on the premises. 

A slip and fall is a type of premises liability claim that holds the property owner liable for damages, including medical bills and lost income. Under California Civil Code §1714(a), premises liability law dictates that property owners have a “duty of care” to keep their premises as safe as possible for visitors. For example, a grocery store may be held liable if they failed to caution customers of wet floors.

What To Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Los Angeles

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in Los Angeles, you should take the following steps to protect your rights and seek compensation:

 

  1. Report the accident to the property owner or store manager. Ask them to write an incident report and give you a copy. If possible, get their names and contact information.
  2. Call 911 and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you think your injuries are minor, you should get checked by a doctor to document your condition and rule out any hidden injuries. Keep all your medical records and bills.
  3. Take photos and videos. Capture the hazard that caused you to fall, your injuries, and any other relevant evidence. If there are any witnesses, ask them for their names and contact information and record their statements. You can also check to see if the store had camera footage. 
  4. Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident. Do not sign any documents or accept any offers from the property owner or their insurance company without consulting a slip and fall lawyer first. You may be entitled to more compensation than they are willing to offer.
  5. Contact Los Angeles slip and fall attorneys. It’s crucial to speak with a slip and fall lawyer first so you do not make a mistake that might hurt your case. A lawyer with experience settling slip and fall claims will ensure you receive proper treatment throughout the claims process. 

Common Places Where Slip and Fall Accidents Typically Happen

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Slip and fall accidents happen everywhere – at home, at work, at a grocery store, at a restaurant or in a parking lot. Many slip and fall accidents occur at nursing homes and on construction sites, where the risk of a serious injury is exponentially greater.

If you were injured at work, you may be able to file a slip and fall claim on top of a workers’ compensation claim. Angeleno Accident Lawyers can review your case and help you explore all of your legal options.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Many slip and fall accidents happen because of wet, slippery, or uneven surfaces. These surfaces can make people lose their balance or trip over something. Some examples of slip and fall hazards are:

    • Wet floors
    • Loose carpeting or rugs
    • Electrical cords
    • Poor lighting
    • Potholes in pavement
    • Cluttered walkways
    • Broken stairs
    • Broken or missing stairwell railings
    • Uneven flooring or sidewalks

It is up to the property owner to make sure the premises are safe and clean for everyone. If the owner is negligent and ignores a dangerous condition, they may be held liable for financial and non-financial losses.

Common Slip and Fall Injuries

Slips and fall accidents can cause serious injuries, especially for elderly adults over the age of 65. The most common types of injuries from slips and falls include:

 

  • Hip fractures – A hip fracture is the single most common slip and fall injury among elderly adults. Because elderly adults have weakened bones, they are more prone to serious injury requiring surgery and a long rehabilitation. A hip fracture can also increase the risk of complications such as infection, blood clots, pneumonia, and death.
  • Fractures and broken bones – Falling or slipping on a hard surface can result in fractures or breaks in the wrists, arms, and ankles. These injuries can impair mobility and function, and may require casts, splints, or surgery to heal. Fractures and broken bones can also lead to osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and stiffness.
  • Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries – Slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which can range from mild concussions to severe and long term brain damage. A TBI can affect a person's cognitive, physical, and emotional functions. Some of the symptoms of a TBI include memory loss, confusion, headaches, dizziness, nausea, mood changes, depression, anxiety, and seizures.
  • Soft tissue injuries – Sprains, strains, tears, and bruises may not be visible or noticeable right away, but they can cause chronic pain and inflammation. Soft tissue injuries can affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves that support the joints and bones. They can also limit the range of motion and flexibility of the affected area.
  • Back and spinal cord injuries – An injury to the back or spinal cord can be a herniated disc, pinched nerves, a fractured vertebrae, and more. Symptoms can range from ongoing pain to paralysis. A spinal cord injury can damage the nerve fibers that carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
  • Neck injuries – These types of injuries can be a muscle strain, a kink or crick, whiplash, or even a spinal cord injury. Because of the risk of paralysis or death, a neck injury must be taken very seriously.

Who is Liable in a Slip and Fall Accident?

Under California's premises liability law, if a person suffers an injury on someone else’s property, the property owner is liable for any damages. However, there are some exceptions that may limit or bar the liability of the property owner. One of the factors that affects liability is the status of the visitor who was injured: 

  • Invitee: An invitee is someone who the property owner specifically invited to the property, such as a customer, client, friend, or family member. Property owners owe the highest duty to invitees. 
  • Licensee: Licensees have implicit permission to remain on the premises, such as a door-to-door salesman. Property owners have a duty to warn licensees of dangers, however, they do not have to inspect their property beforehand. 
  • Trespasser: Those who enter the property without permission or legal right are considered trespassers. Property owners do not owe a duty of care to trespassers. 

Another factor that affects liability is whether the visitor contributed to their own injury by being careless or negligent. For example, if a customer ignored a “wet floor” sign and fell, he or she might be held partly responsible. 

In California, if the victim is partly at fault for their slip and fall, their recovery will be reduced by their percentage of fault. This is known as the comparative negligence rule in personal injury claims. Speak with a slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles to learn more about fault and liability in a slip and fall lawsuit. 

How Much is A Slip and Fall Case Worth?

There is no average settlement for a slip and fall lawsuit in California. This is because every case depends on several factors, including the extent of the injuries suffered in the fall, the victim's age and health, and the accident's impact on their quality of life. Generally speaking, slip and fall victims can be compensated for: 

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Disfigurement or scarring
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Emotional distress

These are known as damages, which in a personal injury case, are divided into two types: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages represent actual financial losses, while non-economic damages like pain and suffering represent intangible losses. In rare cases, slip and fall victims may also be eligible to receive punitive damages. These damages are only awarded if the defendant acted with malice or intentionally caused the accident. 

What is the Statute of Limitations for a Slip and Fall Accident in California?

A slip and fall accident is considered a personal injury case, which means it falls under California’s statute of limitations for personal injury. If you suffer injuries in a slip and fall accident, you must file a claim within two years of the accident. Any action beyond this deadline will be considered invalid and your case will be dismissed. 

If a government employee caused your accident or you fell in a government maintained building like the DMV, you will need to notify the government entity within six months. Speak to a slip and fall attorney as soon as possible to ensure your right to compensation. 

How Do You Prove Negligence in a Slip and Fall Claim?

You must be able to prove negligence in a slip and fall injury case. Negligence is the legal term for a person or entity acting in a careless or “negligent” manner, resulting in someone else getting hurt. 

To prove negligence, you must show the property owner owed you a duty of care, the owner breached their duty, the breach caused your injuries, and you have financial losses from the accident. These elements form the basis of most personal injury claims in California. 

In order for there to be a valid slip and fall case, you must also prove:

  • The condition of the property was dangerous
  • The property owner knew, or should have known, about the hazard
  • The owner had a reasonable amount of time to fix the hazard

If an elderly person falls at home, they are unlikely to have a case because they were injured on their own property. However, an accident in a public place like a retail store has a better standing because that property owner or manager has a duty to customers. 

Proving negligence can be challenging. The property owner or their insurance company may try to place the blame on the victim by saying they ignored warning signs or were distracted. Our skilled slip and fall attorneys know how to prove negligence and win their cases despite the defendant’s tactics. Speak to our law firm today so we can help you get back on your feet. 

How Long Does a Slip and Fall Case Take to Settle?

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Dealing with the aftermath of a slip and fall accident can be stressful. The mounting medical bills, missed time from work, and physical and emotional pain is a lot for victims to handle. If your accident was caused by negligence, you should not have to bear the burden yourself. However, there are many elements to a slip and fall case before receiving the final settlement. Settling a case can take anywhere from a few months to years, depending on several factors.

If you have not fully healed from your injuries, you should not aim to settle quickly, or you risk missing out on compensation for future care. Your case might also take longer to settle if the insurance company denies or delays your claim. If they deny your claim, your attorney will probably take your case to court. While this is unlikely, a court trial can be a lengthy and costly process. A Los Angeles slip and fall attorney will explore all possible options to make the process more efficient and quick. 

Contact an Experienced Los Angeles Slip and Fall Attorney Today

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All business and property owners have a legal obligation to keep their property safe for customers. If you were injured due to a hazardous condition like uneven pavement or poor lighting, that owner is liable for your losses.

In a slip and fall accident claim, the Los Angeles slip and fall attorneys at Angeleno Accident Lawyers will fight for accountability and compensation. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront and owe nothing unless we settle your case or win a verdict at trial. Call us today or complete our free contact form to get started with your claim.

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Don't hesitate to contact our personal injury law firm if you suffered injuries because of a negligent property owner. We are always ready to listen to your legal concerns and guide you through the claims process.

Our skilled Los Angeles slip and fall lawyers will offer you a free consultation, either over the phone or in person, to review your case. Let us help you get the justice you deserve.

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Angeleno Accident Lawyers

448 S. Hill St. Suite 1217
Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 510-9246