Slip and fall accidents are unexpected, unpredictable events. They can happen to a person almost anytime and anywhere. You’ve probably seen instances of this accident. You’re walking in a shopping mall and see someone slip and fall on a bunched-up carpet, or someone slips in a grocery store on a wet floor or in an office building on a waxy floor.
Slip and fall accidents in California involve a person slipping, tripping, stumbling, and falling, and they suffer injuries from that fall. To make it a legal claim, a dangerous or hazardous condition on the property that the owners neglected to fix or warn visitors about must directly cause your fall.
Slip and fall accidents happen more frequently than one might imagine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over three million seniors receive treatment in emergency rooms for falls every year, and one of every five falls results in a severe injury (e.g., concussions or broken bones).
If you recently joined the slip and fall accident brigade and feel that you need legal assistance to help you recover an award for an accident that was not your fault, you can contact a Montebello slip and fall lawyer for help. The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can support you by protecting your legal rights to seek financial compensation for your costs. Call us today at (800) 223-5115 for a free case review with a staff member.
Accident Report
In the aftermath of your slip and fall accident, while you lie on the ground wondering what just hit you, reporting your accident to a property manager or police officer is probably the last thing you’re thinking. However, it’s critical to have a report on file that shows what just happened, how it happened, what caused the accident, and the on-duty manager’s details on the record.
You may even want to call 9-1-1 just in case. Even if you do not need emergency help, 911 would have a record of your call, and a police report could later come in handy in a civil claim.
Why an Incident Report Matters
If you call a law firm with details about a slip and fall case, the first question an attorney will often ask you is, did you file an incident report after your accident? If the answer is no, you will have a hard time proving your case in court. An incident report is often the strongest piece of evidence you have immediately following a slip and fall accident.
This report matters because once you leave the accident scene, the property owner might try to erase all evidence of your accident. The owner or manager will fix the hazardous condition or redesign the store’s layout or lobby to make it seem like the accident couldn’t possibly have happened the way you claim it did.
Another reason the accident report matters is because some injuries may not appear for several days. At the accident scene, you might shrug off your fall and go home without taking any action. Later in the week, after your symptoms develop, you might seek medical attention. When the doctor completes their examination, you might learn that you have a fractured shoulder, ripped cartilage in your arm or leg, or whiplash.
You may then choose to file a personal injury claim. However, if you walked away from the accident scene without reporting it or calling for an ambulance, you might find it problematic to receive a financial award for damages. The owner or insurance company may argue that your injuries could have happened anytime or anyplace, and the property owner’s negligence didn’t cause them.
As you can see, proving liability in a slip and fall case can become an onerous burden—one that you may not want to deal with on your own. A Montebello slip and fall lawyer can offer you advice regarding your claim. The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm has years of experience handling slip and fall accident cases in California. Call us today to get started on your claim.
Typical Causes for Slip and Falls
Some examples of dangerous conditions that result in slip and fall accidents in Montebello include:
- Slippery or wet surfaces from recently mopped floors or leaky roofs
- Puddles from spilled drinks
- Crumpled carpets that cause uneven areas
- Broken or uneven walkways
- Crumbling stairs or missing steps
- Loose or missing handrails
- Poor lighting conditions
For a free legal consultation with a Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer serving Montebello, call (800) 794-0444
Premises Liability
If you slip and fall at a big box retail store or coffee shop, the property owner may have breached their duty of care because of their negligence.
California Civil Code (CIV) §1714 holds that a property owner has a legal obligation (“duty of care”) to take reasonable steps to keep their property in a safe condition and rid the premises of any potentially dangerous situations. Negligence occurs if injuries occur on the property because the property owner neglected to fix a hazard or warn people about a potential danger.
Premises liability law also separates people by classifications, breaking down people who enter the property as invitees or non-invitees. It comes down to two basic elements regarding your presence on the property:
- The type of property you visited
- Your reason for visiting the premises
Of course, every case is different, and you might benefit from speaking with a Montebello slip and fall attorney before taking legal action or accepting an insurance settlement.
Montebello Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Contact a Montebello Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
Slip and fall accidents can produce severe injuries like broken arms and legs, dislocated hips, fractured wrists, and traumatic brain injuries. In some cases, fall injuries could lead to death.
You have two years from your accident date under California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1 to file suit against a property owner. If a slip and fall accident caused by a negligent property owner led to significant injuries and losses, you might benefit from consulting a Montebello slip and fall lawyer. Call the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 223-5115 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation with a staff member.
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