California Slip and Fall Attorneys
Slip and fall accidents, also known as premises liability cases, occur when a property owner or occupier fails to maintain safe conditions and someone is injured as a result. These accidents happen in grocery stores, restaurants, shopping malls, parking lots, office buildings, apartment complexes, and private homes. While they may sound minor, slip and fall injuries can be severe and life-altering.
At Smilove & Rosenblum APC, we hold property owners accountable when their negligence causes injuries. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling California premises liability claims and know how to build compelling cases that maximize our clients’ recovery.
California Premises Liability Law
Under California Civil Code Section 1714, property owners and occupiers have a duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. To prevail in a slip and fall case, you must generally show that a dangerous condition existed on the property, the property owner or occupier knew or should have known about it, they failed to repair it or provide adequate warning, and you were injured as a direct result. California courts apply a standard of reasonable care, considering the likelihood of harm, the seriousness of potential injuries, and the burden of taking preventive measures.
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Common Hazards That Cause Slip and Fall Accidents
Our firm handles cases involving wet or freshly mopped floors without warning signs, uneven or cracked sidewalks and walkways, loose or torn carpeting, poor lighting in stairwells and hallways, missing or broken handrails, spilled merchandise or food in stores, icy or slippery surfaces, hidden changes in floor elevation, and cluttered walkways or obstructed paths.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Falls can cause a wide range of injuries, many of which disproportionately affect older adults. Common injuries include hip fractures, broken wrists and arms from bracing a fall, traumatic brain injuries from striking the head, spinal cord injuries, torn ligaments including ACL and rotator cuff tears, back and neck injuries, and chronic pain conditions. These injuries often require surgery, extended rehabilitation, and may result in long-term disability or reduced mobility.
Notice and Evidence
A critical element in slip and fall cases is proving the property owner had notice of the hazard. This can be actual notice, meaning they knew about it, or constructive notice, meaning the condition existed long enough that a reasonable owner should have discovered it. Surveillance footage, maintenance logs, prior complaints, and inspection records are all vital evidence. Because this evidence can be destroyed quickly, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after a fall.
Free Consultation
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, contact Smilove & Rosenblum APC at (800) 300-3226 or request a consultation online. We offer free consultations and handle all premises liability cases on a contingency fee basis.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Cases
What do I need to prove in a California slip and fall case?
To succeed in a slip and fall claim in California, you must prove that the property owner or occupier owed you a duty of care, they knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, they failed to repair it or adequately warn you, and their negligence caused your injuries. Under Civil Code §1714, property owners must maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. The standard of care depends on your status as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser (Rowland v. Christian).
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in California?
The statute of limitations for a slip and fall personal injury claim is two years from the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure §335.1. If the property is owned by a government entity (such as a city sidewalk or public building), you must file a government tort claim within six months of the incident under Government Code §911.2. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim.
What types of compensation are available in slip and fall cases?
Slip and fall victims in California can recover economic damages including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. If the property owner acted with willful disregard for safety, punitive damages may also be available under Civil Code §3294.
Mga Madalas Itanong Tungkol sa Nadulas at Nahulog (Slip and Fall)
Frequently Asked Questions in Tagalog
Ano ang kailangan kong patunayan sa isang slip and fall case sa California?
Para magtagumpay sa isang slip and fall claim sa California, kailangan mong patunayan na ang may-ari o namamahala ng property ay may obligasyon ng pag-iingat sa iyo, alam nila o dapat nilang alam ang mapanganib na kondisyon, hindi nila ito inayos o sapat na binalaan ka, at ang kanilang kapabayaan ang dahilan ng iyong mga pinsala. Sa ilalim ng Civil Code §1714, ang mga may-ari ng property ay dapat mapanatili ang kanilang lugar sa makatwirang ligtas na kondisyon.
Gaano katagal bago ako makapag-file ng slip and fall lawsuit sa California?
Ang statute of limitations para sa slip and fall personal injury claim ay dalawang taon mula sa araw ng pinsala sa ilalim ng Code of Civil Procedure §335.1. Kung ang property ay pag-aari ng isang government entity (tulad ng sidewalk ng lungsod o pampublikong gusali), kailangan mong mag-file ng government tort claim sa loob ng anim na buwan ng insidente sa ilalim ng Government Code §911.2. Ang pagkawala ng mga deadline na ito ay maaaring permanenteng hadlangan ang iyong claim.
May mga tauhan ba kayo na nagsasalita ng Tagalog?
Oo! Ang Smilove & Rosenblum APC ay proud na nagsisilbi sa Filipino community sa buong California. May mga Tagalog-speaking staff kami na handang tumulong sa inyo sa buong proseso ng inyong kaso. Nauunawaan namin ang mga hamon na kinakaharap ng mga pamilyang Filipino at committed kami sa pagbibigay ng personalized na serbisyo sa wikang komportable para sa inyo. Tumawag sa (800) 300-3226 para sa libreng konsultasyon.