A slip & fall can result in devastating injuries, disfigurement, and chronic pain. If you have slipped, tripped and suffered a fall because of a property owner’s failure to keep their space free of obstacles and debris, you could be entitled to compensation.
Even though slip & fall claims are the punchline in a lot of lawyer jokes, they often result in very serious injuries. Many people suffer from serious head & brain injuries, back & neck injuries or lacerations. Some have even died due to a serious slip, trip and fall that resulted in catastrophic injuries.
Slip and fall injuries fall under premises liability law and premises liability law in California revolves around the legal principles that hold property owners and occupiers responsible for accidents and injuries that occur on their property. This area of law is part of tort law and focuses on the duty of care that property owners and occupiers owe to those who enter their premises.
Ready to find the right Orange County slip and fall lawyer for your injury claim? Browse our listings throughout this page to find attorneys we’ve verified as “Orange County local” through the California Bar Association.
Slip and fall injuries are one of the most common reasons for emergency room trips every year. These injuries are often the result of poorly-maintained stores, restaurants, hotels, and homes. Slip and fall accidents may because by:
When someone owns a piece of property, they are legally obligated to take reasonable steps to protect those who may visit that property. When they fail to do so and someone is injured, they can be held liable through a personal injury claim.
It may sound like splitting hairs, but a slip and trip are very different in terms of causation even if they resulted in the same type of injury. A slip refers to when a person loses their footing due to a slippery surface, such as water, oil or another substance on a floor. A trip refers to when a person’s foot hits an obstacle, such as a raised edge or protrusion, causing them to lose their balance and fall.
Injuries from slip and fall accidents vary quite a bit, depending on the height of the fall, the surface where the fall occurred, and what was happening at the time. Some commonly reported injuries include:
Knowing slip and fall laws in California can help you make decisions regarding a personal injury claim and figure out if you have a valid complaint. In general, you have two years to file a lawsuit against the liable party after your fall. However, if you have property damage, you have three years to seek compensation for those expenses.
If your fall happened on government property, your claim may be against the government and not a private party. In this situation, you have to give the municipality time to respond to your accusations and you must tell them within six months that you plan on filing a claim against them.
Comparative negligence is often a factor in California slip and fall cases and simply means that victims who have any share of responsibility in the accident may see their award decreased accordingly. For example, if you were in a closed part of the store when you fell, the store may claim that you were partially liable for your own injuries. If the court found that you were 10% to blame for an accident that caused $10,000 in damages, you would lose 10% and be paid $9,000. Other reasons a victim may be at fault include:
Whether or not pursuing a slip and fall injury case is worth pursuing depends on the specific circumstances of your unique claim. Factors that may be considered include the severity of the injury, the cost of medical treatment, lost wages, and the likelihood of success in court. It is recommended to consult with a slip & fall attorney who can evaluate your claim and provide guidance on the potential outcome and compensation.
The slip & fall lawyers listed on this page serve clients in Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange, Fullerton, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Newport Beach, Buena Park, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, La Habra, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Brea, Ladera Ranch and all courts throughout Orange County and Southern California. If you or a family member was injured in a slipping or tripping accident and need to talk to a lawyer and get your questions answered, call an attorney listed here today.
Choosing the right Orange County attorney for your claim can help you prove your slip & fall injury claim, demonstrate the other party’s liability, and fight for the compensation you are owed. Start your search now by browsing our attorney listings and choose the best slip and fall lawyer for your claim today.