When you visit a friend’s house, business, or government building, you reasonably expect it to be safe. You don’t expect to slip and fall due to wet floors, poor lighting, or other hazardous conditions. Unfortunately, many property owners do not take their responsibility to maintain safe premises seriously, nor do they try to make things right when a visitor is injured due to their negligence. You can learn about your legal rights and options for holding them accountable when you contact a San Diego slip and fall accident attorney from the Miller & Steele Law Firm for a free case review.
How a San Diego Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident caused by someone else’s negligence, an experienced personal injury attorney can help by:
- Listening compassionately to your story to get a better idea about how the accident occurred and how it has affected you
- Investigating the cause of the accident, which can sometimes be difficult for victims since the property owner or manager might have repaired the hazard to cover it up or prevent other injuries
- Proving the true value of the damages you have suffered, including future medical expenses and
- Explaining how California premises liability applies to your case and your legal options for financial recovery
- Preserving valuable evidence, such as video surveillance footage, incident reports, photos of the accident scene and your injuries, and witness statements
- Establishing the property owner’s legal liability for your accident
- Communicating with insurance companies and filing your insurance claims on your behalf
- Negotiating for fair compensation
- Devising a customized legal strategy for your case and preparing your case for trial
Because our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis, you don’t have to pay any attorney fees unless and until we recover compensation for you. Call us today for a free consultation.
California Liability in Slip and Fall Accident Cases
In California, all property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their premises safe and free of dangerous conditions so that visitors are not harmed. If a property owner fails to provide a safe environment, injuring you as a result, you may be legally entitled to financial compensation under California premises liability laws. California Civil Code (CIV) §1714 states that if an injury happens on someone else’s property because of a lack of care or skill, the property owner is legally responsible for the injury.
To establish liability in these types of slip and fall cases, you must be able to show all of the following:
- The property owner owed you a duty of care: The property owner has a legal duty to keep the property safe for all visitors.
- The property owner breached their duty of care: The property either intentionally harmed you or failed to exercise ordinary care, which resulted in your harm.
- The property caused your injury: The property owner’s actions or omissions are what caused the injury, and the owner knew about the dangerous condition or should have known about it.
- You suffered damages: You sustained measurable losses due to your injuries.
An experienced attorney can evaluate your situation, determine if the property owner violated the law, and explain your legal options for recovering compensation.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Understanding the conditions that contribute to slips and falls is central to recovering compensation because you must be able to show how the slip occurred and why the property owner should have been aware of the hazardous condition. Various hazards can lead to slips and falls. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Slippery falls, such as freshly mopped floors without any accompanying warning signs
- Cluttered walkways
- Dangerous stairs, such as those with loose or missing steps, missing or broken handrails, or built out of compliance with building codes
- Properties in disrepair, due to weather or poor maintenance
- Loose floorboards, cracked tile, or floors at different heights
- Cracked sidewalks
- Torn carpeting
- Cracks or potholes in the pavement, sidewalks, or parking lots
- Uneven surfaces
- Insufficient lighting
Proving Liability for Slip and Fall Accidents
To prove that you have a right to monetary compensation for your injuries, your slip and fall accident attorney can help gather evidence to help prove liability, such as:
- Incident reports involving the same or similar hazard that injured you
- Photos of the accident scene, particularly of the dangerous condition that harmed you
- Video footage from surveillance cameras or bystander videos
- Inspection and maintenance records
Financial Compensation for Slip and Fall Accidents in San Diego
Slip and fall accidents can disrupt accident victims’ lives. Medical treatment can be costly and extensive, coming as an unexpected and unwelcome surprise to victims and their families. Serious injuries may result in prolonged periods off work and income loss, which makes the situation even worse. At the same time, you could be dealing with painful injuries that drastically affect your quality of life.
We can identify all damages to which you are entitled, such as:
- Medical bills for emergency and immediate medical attention
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage, such as a broken phone or ruined clothing
- Loss of wages and other lost income caused by your injuries
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
What Is My Slip-and-Fall Case Worth in San Diego?
The potential value of your slip and fall claim will be based on factors specific to your unique situation, such as:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- Who is responsible for your injuries and their insurance coverage
- The value of your economic damages
- How have your injuries affected your life
- Whether you contributed to the accident
- Whether your case settles or goes to court
Reach Out for Legal Assistance Today
If you were injured in a slip-and-fall case, the Miller & Steele Law Firm wants to help. You have a limited time to take legal action, so don’t delay. An experienced San Diego slip-and-fall accident lawyer from our firm can promptly investigate your case, identify your legal options, and fight for fair compensation. Call us today for a free consultation.