What To Know About Slip And Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents happen more often than most people realize. You’re walking through a store, crossing a parking lot, maybe heading down a set of stairs. Then suddenly you’re on the ground, injured, wondering what just happened.
Our friends at Choulos & Tsoi Law Firm work with people in this exact situation all the time. If you’ve been hurt on someone else’s property, talking with a slip and fall lawyer can help you figure out what comes next.
Understanding Premises Liability In California
Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. It’s that simple. When someone gets injured because an owner failed to maintain safe conditions or didn’t warn about hazards, that owner may be held responsible. California has specific rules about who qualifies as a visitor and what level of care they’re owed. Guests get different protections than customers. Even some trespassers receive certain protections under the law. Your relationship with the property owner matters when you’re trying to determine liability.
Common Causes Of Slip And Fall Injuries
These accidents don’t just happen. There’s usually a hazardous condition behind them:
- Wet or recently mopped floors without warning signs
- Uneven pavement or broken sidewalks
- Poor lighting in stairwells or hallways
- Torn carpeting or loose floor mats
- Debris left in walkways
- Ice or snow that wasn’t cleared properly
What the property owner knew about these hazards becomes the centerpiece of your case. Did they know about the dangerous condition? Should they have discovered it through regular inspections? These aren’t just theoretical questions. They drive the entire investigation.
Proving Your Slip And Fall Case
Showing that you fell and got hurt isn’t enough to win a premises liability claim. You need to establish that the property owner was negligent. This means proving they knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn visitors about it. Documentation becomes your strongest tool here. Photographs of the accident scene matter. So do witness statements, medical records, and incident reports. All of these pieces build your case. The sooner you gather this evidence, the better, because conditions change. Memories fade. Witnesses become harder to locate as weeks and months pass. Security camera footage can make or break a case. Many businesses have surveillance systems that capture accidents as they happen, but this footage often gets deleted or recorded over within days or weeks. You can’t wait around when it comes to preserving this evidence.
What Damages You Can Recover
If you prove the property owner was negligent, you may recover compensation for several types of damages. Medical bills from emergency room visits qualify. So do costs from surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment. Lost wages from time off work also count, along with reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job. Pain and suffering damages account for the physical discomfort and emotional distress your injuries caused. These non-economic damages often represent a significant portion of settlement values in serious injury cases.
The Two-Year Deadline
California gives injury victims two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit under the statute of limitations. Miss this deadline, and you lose your right to compensation. It doesn’t matter how strong your case might be. Some situations involve government property, which comes with much shorter notice requirements. Claims against cities, counties, or state entities typically require filing within six months. These strict deadlines leave almost no room for delay.
Taking Action After Your Fall
What you do immediately after a slip and fall accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Report the incident to the property owner or manager right away. Get medical attention even if your injuries seem minor at first, because some conditions worsen over time. Others don’t show symptoms until days later. Keep all documentation related to your accident and treatment. Save receipts. Take photos of your injuries as they heal. Maintain a journal describing your pain levels and how the injury affects your daily activities. Understanding your rights after a slip and fall accident helps you make informed decisions about your case. Legal guidance can clarify whether you have a valid claim and what compensation you might reasonably expect to recover.
