A slip and fall accident can cause debilitating injuries, including hip fractures, broken bones, and head and back injuries. If you were hurt on someone else’s property, you may have a claim for compensation. Property owners owe a legal obligation to their guests to ensure the premises are free from any dangerous conditions that could cause harm. For example, if you slip and fall in a grocery store due to spilled liquid or another similar hazard, the owner can be liable for your injuries and losses.
At Valero Law Group, our dedicated personal injury attorneys will aggressively pursue your case to ensure you receive the compensation you need to move forward. When someone else’s negligence causes you to sustain serious injuries, there is no reason you should be left to cope with the financial fallout on your own. Contact our office to schedule a free and confidential consultation with a Fresno slip and fall lawyer.
What To Do After a Slip and Fall
Most people have slipped and fallen a time or two in their lives. Sometimes, it is no more than an embarrassment. At other times, however, slipping and falling can lead to very serious injuries and immense losses. Broken bones, spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, and even traumatic brain injuries are common.
If someone has slipped and fallen due to a property owner or manager’s negligence, there are several important steps they should take, including:
- Seek the immediate medical care they need
- Consult a knowledgeable slip and fall attorney early on
- Follow their doctor’s medical advice and attend all follow-up appointments
- Avoid giving the insurance company a statement that they could misrepresent
- Refrain from posting on social media until their claim has settled
A Fresno attorney can communicate with the insurance company on behalf of a claimant, improving the chances of a favorable outcome in a slipping and falling accident claim.
Dangerous Conditions That Cause Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall lawsuits arise from injuries a person sustains due to slipping, tripping, or falling, as a result of an unsafe condition on the property. Property owners can be held liable under California’s well-established premises liability laws. Specifically, California law requires all property owners and managers to maintain the premises in a safe condition for any guests, visitors, or customers. Likewise, they are obligated to warn of any potential dangers. California Civil Code § 1714(a).
This protection extends to anyone who is on the property legally. If the person who slips and falls is on the property illegally, such as if they are trespassing, the law does not entitle them to the same level of protection. Property owners cannot, however, purposefully or wantonly cause anyone harm, including trespassers.
Property owners have an affirmative obligation to inspect their property for dangerous conditions and address hazards before they could harm a guest. Some common examples of dangerous conditions that cause slip and fall accidents include:
- Poor lighting
- Missing handrails
- Spilled liquids or food
- Uneven or narrow stairwells
- Uneven or cracked sidewalks or pavement
- Slippery or icy parking lots or walkways
A Fresno attorney can review the details of a slip and fall accident to determine its cause, whether there is a viable civil claim, and who could be held legally liable for damages.
Damages in a Slip and Fall Lawsuit
Premises liability lawsuits for slip and fall accidents are filed against the property owner. When a claim is successful, an injured person can expect compensation for their past and future economic and non-economic losses – also known as damages. Economic losses include medical treatment such as hospital care, surgery, prescriptions, and other incidental expenses as well as lost wages or a diminished earning capacity. Non-economic damages include subjective losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and physical impairment.
Generally, those injured in slip and fall accidents have two years to file a claim against the property owner. However, it is important to note that if someone is injured on public property in California, they must notify the public agency within six months of the injury, or risk losing their right to compensation. Other adjustments to this statute of limitations could apply in circumstances where a government body is involved, or the injured person is a minor. Working with a Fresno slip and fall attorney is the best way to ensure all requirements and timelines are met and to ensuring any settlement offers or awards adequately reflect the full extent of an injured person’s needs.
Hire a Fresno Slip and Fall Attorney
Owners of commercial, public, and private property in California are responsible for addressing potentially dangerous conditions that could harm their guests. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, you have options.
Hiring the right personal injury attorney can make all the difference in your case. At Valero Law Group, we are here to advocate for you every step of the way. We are always available to clients who have questions about their cases and can travel to you if you are unable to come into the office. Call us today to set up an initial consultation with a Fresno slip and fall lawyer.
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