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Slips, trips & falls account for thousands of injuries each year. In some cases, a slip and fall injury can result in life-threatening injuries and death. In many cases, the person who falls did not expect to be injured when they entered the building or area. Our California slip and fall accident attorney helps individuals investigate slip, trip, and fall injuries to determine why the accident occurred and who is liable for the victim’s damages.
Common Locations of Unexpected Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip and fall accident can occur anywhere. A fall might take place on private property, commercial property, or government property. Common locations where people slip and fall include:
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Shopping centers and stores
- Gas stations
- Parks and recreational facilities
- Government buildingsÂ
- Playgrounds and parks
- Schools
- Amusement parks
- Cruise ships and resorts
- Private homes and residential property
- Public sidewalks, parking lots, and outdoor venues
- Stairwells, elevators, and escalators
If a fall causes your injury, you may be entitled to compensation from the property owner. However, you must prove each legal element of a premises liability claim before you can receive compensation for your injuries.Â
Filing a Premises Liability Claim for a Slip and Fall Accident in California
Filing a claim for your injuries from a fall is similar to filing a claim for any other personal injury. You must have documentation of your injuries, financial losses, and noneconomic damages. You must also prove the legal elements of a premises liability claim.Â
To be successful in a premises liability claim, you must generally prove:
- A dangerous condition or hazard existed on the property;
- You fell because of the dangerous condition or hazard;
- Your fall resulted in your injuries and damages;
- The property owner knew or should have reasonably known about the condition; and,
- The property owner did not provide adequate warnings or take any action to correct the matter.
In many cases, proving that the owner knew or should have known about the condition can be the most difficult element to prove in a slip and fall claim. Many property owners and insurance providers blame the victim for the fall. By blaming the victim, the responsible parties avoid liability for the damages.
What Should You Do After an Unexpected Slip, Trip & Fall?
You never expect to fall and be injured when on another person’s property. However, if you fall on another party’s property, the steps you take immediately after the fall can impact your injury claim.
Steps to take after an unexpected fall include:
- Report the fall to the property owner or other responsible party if the property owner is not available.
- Ask for emergency medical services.
- Take pictures and make a video of the area. Property owners often correct the problem that caused the fall after everyone leaves.
- Ask anyone who saw the fall to give you their names and contact information.
- Continue to follow up with your doctor for treatment.
- Do not discuss the fall with the insurance adjuster or agree to provide a written or recorded statement.
- Consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to avoid taking any steps that could hurt your case.
Contact Our California Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Case Review
Being injured in an unexpected fall can result in substantial medical bills, loss of income, physical pain, and emotional suffering. Contact our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys to discuss your legal rights and your options for recovering compensation from the responsible party.Â