What Is a Slip and Fall Accident in California?
Slip and fall accidents are incidents where an individual slips, trips, and falls, resulting in injuries while on someone else’s property. These accidents can occur in various settings, such as grocery stores, restaurants, sidewalks, or public or private premises. However, if you have sustained injuries from a slip and fall accident due to the unsafe conditions of a property, you may have the right to pursue financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs. In the guide below, we will review these accidents in more detail and explain the legal options available to you in these situations.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
In California, slip and fall accidents typically fall under the category of “premises liability,” which refers to a property owner’s legal responsibility to maintain a safe environment for visitors. Premises liability claims arise when a property owner or possessor fails to take reasonable precautions to prevent hazardous conditions that could lead to accidents. This could include:
- Neglecting to repair broken flooring or damaged handrails
- Failing to clean up spills
- Not providing adequate lighting in a walkway
- Leaving uneven carpeting or exposed cables
Pursuing Legal Action After a Slip and Fall Accident in California
Filing a premises liability lawsuit in California is governed by Civil Code §1714(a), which establishes a clear “duty of care” that property and business owners must uphold.
This duty involves several responsibilities aimed at ensuring the safety of patrons, guests, and visitors on their properties, including:
- Maintaining the Property: Owners must regularly upkeep their premises, addressing any issues such as broken handrails, uneven flooring, or inadequate lighting that could pose a risk to visitors.
- Regularly Inspecting the Premises: Property owners must conduct routine inspections of their premises to identify and remedy potential hazards before they lead to accidents.
- Warning Guests of Potential Hazards: If there are any known dangers that guests may encounter, such as wet floors due to cleaning or inclement weather, owners must provide clear warnings, either through signage or verbal communication.
- Repairing Dangerous Conditions: Property owners must promptly fix any unsafe conditions that could endanger guests, such as potholes in parking lots, loose tiles, or slippery surfaces.
The Financial Damages You May Be Able To Pursue After a Slip and Fall Accident
When property owners neglect to exercise their duty of care and allow unsafe conditions to persist, they may become liable for injuries sustained by visitors on their property. In such instances, the injured party can seek compensation for a variety of damages, which may include:
- Medical Bills: All expenses related to medical treatment needed as a consequence of the injuries sustained in the accident.
- Physical Therapy: Costs associated with rehabilitation services to recover from injuries.
- Loss of Earnings: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work following the accident.
- Continued Medical Care: Ongoing treatment expenses for chronic conditions or injuries resulting from the slip and fall incident.
- Scarring or Disfigurement: Compensation for any permanent physical changes that may affect the victim’s appearance and self-esteem.
- Pain and Suffering: Financial relief for the emotional distress and physical pain endured because of the injury.
Learn More About Your Legal Options Following a Slip and Fall Accident, Contact Us Today
If you have suffered injuries from a slip and fall accident in California because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation for the damages and losses you have experienced. To explore these legal options further and understand how a knowledgeable California slip and fall accident attorney can assist you with this claim, contact Albert Abkarian & Associates today.