Wet floor accidents in Stockton can lead to serious injuries and considerable physical, financial, and emotional losses that affect your life in many ways.
If a property owner’s or manager’s negligence in relation to a slippery floor leaves you injured, contact an experienced slip and fall accident attorney at Valero Law Group for the help you need.
Who Is protected by Premises Liability Law?
California premises liability law protects anyone who is lawfully on commercial property. If you are shopping, dining, working, or otherwise present with permission, the property owner or manager owes you a duty of reasonable care. That includes taking prompt action to address slippery floors and other hazards that could cause preventable injuries.
Even trespassers have limited protection. While property owners are not typically liable for a trespasser’s injuries caused by simple negligence, they cannot cause willful or wanton harm. However, most negligence-based wet floor claims in Stockton brought by trespassers are not actionable.
What Steps Should a Property Owner Take?
When a Stockton business owner knows or should know of a slippery-floor hazard, they are responsible for taking reasonable measures to remedy the situation.
These measures include cleaning up the spill or whatever has left the floor wet within a reasonable amount of time, or affording guests ample warning of the risk. Failure to act or warn patrons can lead to legal liability.
Risk Factors for Wet Floor Accidents
Wet floor hazards in Stockton often occur:
- After a spill
- After mopping or routine cleaning
- During or after rain, when water is tracked indoors
These are situations property owners can, and should, prepare for. Businesses are expected to have protocols for floor maintenance, spill cleanup, and posting visible warning signs. While liability may not arise the instant a spill occurs, once a reasonable amount of time passes without cleanup or warning, responsibility can be assigned. In short, if a dangerous condition is allowed to linger, the property owner may be held accountable.
What Injuries Are Associated With Wet Floor Accidents?
Every wet floor accident that occurs in Stockton has its own unique circumstances. The following injuries, however, are particularly common:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Fractured bones
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Slip and falls are not minor accidents. They can lead to severe injuries and significant financial costs.
Legal Losses
Slipping and falling on a wet surface in a Stockton commercial setting can change a person’s life in an instant. People can suffer serious losses from these types of accidents, such as:
- Medical expenses, which may include ongoing needs that relate to future medical procedures and complications or secondary health concerns
- Lost income, which may include losses that relate to their earning power or career path
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Permanent disabilities from their injuries
Working with skilled legal guidance helps ensure that an individual’s losses are represented effectively. This could make a difference to the outcome of their claim and the compensation they receive.
Call a Stockton Wet Floor Accident Attorney Today
At Valero Law Group, we have a proven track record of winning complex premises liability claims stemming from wet floor accidents in Stockton. Our attorneys know how to build strong cases, negotiate aggressively, and secure the compensation clients deserve.
If a property owner’s negligence caused your injuries, we are ready to fight for you. Contact us today for your free consultation.