Slip-And-Fall Lawyers Serving San Diego And Riverside
Hazardous conditions can occur anywhere in both private and public locations. If you slip on someone else’s property and suffer an injury, you may have a case for compensation. Slip-and-fall accidents are under the premises liability umbrella. At Martinez & Schill LLP, we take cases throughout Southern California, and we’re skilled in successfully handling complex premises liability cases. We have developed a proven method of gathering the necessary evidence to prove our case and effectively negotiate with insurance companies for fair and maximum compensation.
Causes Of Slip-And-Fall Accidents In California
In some areas of the country, slip-and-falls are most common when there is snow or ice on the ground. Luckily, we do not have that problem in Southern California. We do, however, have many of the other hazards that can cause a slip-and-fall accident, such as:
- Slippery floors due to spills or leaks
- Uneven flooring or walkways that are not properly marked
- Trip-and-falls on dangerous city sidewalks
- Paths or stairwells without proper illumination
- Stairways without handrails or broken handrails
- Cluttered aisles in stores
- Rare slip-and-falls from height – including bridges or balconies
Slip-and-fall accidents commonly happen in many different places, including grocery stores, hospitals, schools, retail stores, apartment complexes, airports and government buildings. Property owners have the responsibility to keep their property in safe condition and properly post warnings when hazards occur. In some cases, a property owner will plead ignorance to an unsafe condition, but lack of awareness of a problem is not an adequate defense, as victims only need to prove that the owner should have known about the hazard. Additionally, oftentimes, the property owner is the creator of the dangerous condition, which gives rise to their responsibility.
Comparative Fault
Oftentimes, insurance companies or defense attorneys will argue that the person who fell is at fault because they “should have seen the defect in the sidewalk” or “should have seen the spill on the ground” and will deny liability on these bases. It is important to seek legal counsel in these circumstances because the fact that an injured person could have seen a spill does not defeat the claim or right to recover.
Injuries From Slip-And-Fall Accidents In San Diego
The injuries that individuals can suffer from slip-and-falls range from minor bruises to serious injuries to the head, neck and back. Broken bones and hip injuries are also possible, particularly when victims are elderly. We have seen many trip-and-fall clients sustain worse injuries than those sustained in severe car accidents and injuries that oftentimes take years to recover from. In our experience, many ankle and foot injuries can take years to recover from and, in rare cases, can result in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Thus, it is important to take these cases seriously. We understand how an injury can significantly impact a person’s life and how important it is to obtain full compensation for their injuries. We aggressively represent our clients in and out of the courtroom.
Get Answers To Your Questions
If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, contact us right away to schedule a free consultation. We will listen to your account of your accident, answer your questions and provide you with an honest assessment of the validity of your case. From our San Diego and Riverside offices, we assist clients throughout Southern California. Call 619-512-5995 or 951-290-3367 to speak to an attorney today.