Slip and fall

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Personal Injury

If you suffered injuries in a fall on someone else’s property, you may have a civil case against them. A Southern California slip and fall attorney can help you hold them accountable and recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. Property owners and lessees are legally responsible for keeping you safe, whether you visit them at home or shop in their store. A Los Angeles personal injury attorney from KJT Law Group can talk with you about your case for free today. We offer complimentary consultations so injury victims can better understand their legal rights, options, and how we may be able to help. Call (818) 507-8525 now or contact us online to get started.

Slip and Falls Often Occur Because of Negligence

There are three main types of falls that lead to injuries:

Slip and fall, where the person slips on something slick and falls backward
Trip and fall, where the person trips over something and falls forward
Falls from an elevated height, where the fall occurs from a higher elevation to a lower one (such as off a ladder or down the stairs)

In all of these situations, California’s premises liability laws may apply. Under CIV § 1714(a), property owners must provide “ordinary care” to keep those who visit their property safe. This includes repairing or otherwise mitigating any fall risks as soon as they become aware of them. If they fail to do so, they may be legally responsible for any injuries that occur – and fall injuries do occur often.

Fall Injuries Are Very Common

Here are some statistics that show how frequently fall accidents occur:

The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks falls as the second-leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide
More than 6.8 million people received treatment for fall injuries in U.S. emergency rooms in 2019, according to the National Safety Council (NSC)
The NSC also reported over 42,000 fall-related deaths in 2020
More than 800,000 people a year require hospitalization for a fall injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Many falls do not cause serious injuries. An urgent care or emergency department visit may only reveal minor injuries, such as contusions or lacerations. However, the CDC reports that one of every five falls causes more serious injuries, such as fractures, joint injuries, concussions, or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Elderly people are at an increased risk of severe injuries when they fall.

How Can a Southern California Personal Injury Lawyer Help With My Case?

A personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles may be able to help you seek the compensation you deserve based on the facts of your Southern California fall accident. Our team investigates these cases and fights to protect our client’s rights. We regularly represent fall victims hurt in restaurants, stores, theaters, stadiums, arenas, private homes, and other areas. We understand how state laws in California create liability for property owners, and we know how to hold them accountable. Our personal injury attorneys are ready to help you recover your financial and non-financial losses and make you whole again.

We Serve Multiple Counties in Southern California

Our service area includes:

Imperial County
Kern County
Los Angeles County
Orange County
Riverside County
San Bernardino County
San Diego County
Santa Barbara County
San Luis Obispo County
Ventura County

If you suffered fall injuries in any of these counties or somewhere nearby, the personal team at KJT Law Group may be able to help. We provide free initial consultations and represent our clients without charging a retainer or any other upfront fees. We only get paid if we recover compensation in your case.

Who Is Liable for a Southern California Slip and Fall Injury?

California’s premises liability laws make property owners legally responsible for injuries that occur because of hazards on their property. The exception is when someone else occupies the property, usually through a lease. If a lessee occupies the property and is responsible for property maintenance, they might be liable for your losses after a fall.

Much depends on the circumstances of the case, including what caused the fall, the stipulations of the lease agreement (if a lessee occupies the property), and several other factors. Our attorneys know how to show negligence and liability to recover compensation for our clients, whether dealing with a property owner or lessee.

Common Causes of Fall Accidents

Common causes of fall accidents include:

Spills
Leaks
Tracked liquids or other slick substances
Improperly cleaned or waxed floors
Objects in walkways
Torn carpet or other damaged flooring
Unmarked step-ups
Uneven flooring or pavement
Holes in grass or potholes
Cracked sidewalks
Poor lighting
Missing or damaged handrails
Uneven stairs

In all of these cases, a hazard might be present that led to your fall. The property owner, occupier, or lessee might be legally liable. A slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles from our team can help you build a case and hold the liable party accountable.

Proving a Southern California Slip and Fall Claim or Lawsuit

To recover compensation in a fall injury case, our Los Angeles slip and fall attorneys must show that the property owner, occupier, or lessee failed to exercise ordinary care, which led to our client’s injuries. We can investigate the fall accident and the underlying circumstances to prove that negligence occurred by showing:

Duty of care as established by the state’s premises liability law
Breach of that duty
Causation (in other words, the breach of the duty of care caused your injuries)
The physical, emotional, and financial harm you suffered

The evidence available in your case may include:

Official reports from the police, first responders, or the business involved
Witness statements
Photographs or video footage
Medical expenses
Doctor statements
Bills and other documentation of damages

Managing the Settlement Negotiation Process

We use the available evidence to document what happened and how your fall affected you. We then present this information to the liable party or their insurance provider and demand a fair payout – this is typically the start of the negotiation process. We will prepare an estimated settlement range for you before negotiations begin, so you know what to expect and how to judge if any offers are reasonable.

We often reach a fair settlement through this process. However, sometimes we must sue the liable party because the insurer will not offer fair compensation, or there are other reasons why a lawsuit is the best option for our client. If this occurs, we can handle your lawsuit and represent your best interests, including at trial when necessary.

How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Slip and Fall Case?

Many factors can affect how long it takes to secure financial compensation or learn the outcome of your Southern California slip and fall claim. In some cases, we can negotiate a payout for our clients quickly. The insurer cooperates with our team, and we arrive at a settlement amount that both parties agree on. In most cases, it takes several rounds of negotiations, strong evidence to show liability, and documentation of our client’s damages to convince the insurance company of their policyholder’s negligence. We do not back down from pursuing a fair settlement on our client’s behalf. It may take even longer if we need to sue and take your case to trial. Not only do we need to prepare the lawsuit and meet the state’s two-year deadline set by CCP § 335.1, but we also have to follow the court’s timetable. It may take several months to get a date set on the court’s docket to hear motions or go to trial.

Slip and Fall Injuries and Recoverable Damages

Injuries from slip and falls often occur from trying to catch yourself. Injuries from striking the floor or nearby objects can also occur. Both can cause:

Broken arm bones
Wrist injuries (often from over-extension of an outstretched hand)
Ankle or knee injuries
Hip fractures from sideways falls
Concussions or other head injuries
Contusions or lacerations

Falls from an elevated height are particularly dangerous because of the force involved in these falls. A tumble down a set of poorly-lit stairs could cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury, or another catastrophic injury.

Victims of fall injuries can often recover compensation under California’s premises liability laws. With a negotiated insurance settlement or court verdict, your payout could cover the losses and costs you incurred because of your fall, such as:

Medical bills, including any future or ongoing expenses
Lost income, including tips, bonuses, and commissions
Diminished earning capacity due to long-term injuries
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Wrongful death damages if your loved one died from their injuries

Work With a Southern California Slip and Fall Attorney From Our Team

At KJT Law Group, our Southern California personal injury lawyers provide free consultations for fall victims and their families. We are happy to sit down with you to discuss your fall accident, injuries, legal options, and more. Our attorneys are here to help you secure compensation and get a positive outcome in your case. To learn more, call (818) 507-8525 or contact us online today.

If you or someone you love was injured due to another person’s negligence, contact KJT Law Group at (818) 507-8525 for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.

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