Slip & Fall

Slip & Fall Lawyers in San Diego

Guiding Injured Clients Toward the Compensation They Deserve

Hazardous conditions can occur anywhere in both private and public locations, causing visitors to slip and sustain serious injuries. If this happened to you while you were on someone else’s property, you may have a compensation case, as you should not have to pay for your own medical care when the incident wasn’t your fault.

At Martinez & Schill LLP, our personal injury attorneys can help you seek compensation for any losses stemming from a slip-and-fall accident. We’ve handled numerous complex premises liability cases for clients across San Diego County, so you can trust our personal injury attorneys to use our legal skills and resources to get you the financial award you deserve. Call our San Diego personal injury law office today for a free case evaluation with a slip-and-fall attorney.

What Are Some 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:

  • Wet 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 can occur nearly anywhere, but they’re more likely to happen in some locations than others due to specific hazards that may be present. Some of the most common sites of slip-and-fall accidents include:

  • Grocery stores
  • Hospitals
  • Retail stores
  • Schools
  • Restaurants and bars
  • Apartment complexes
  • Airports
  • Hotels
  • Parking lots
  • Sidewalks
  • Government buildings

Regardless of where a slip-and-fall accident takes place, the individual who is most likely to be held liable is typically the property owner. This is because property owners have the responsibility to keep their property in a safe condition and post warnings when hazards occur. So, if a property owner knows about a wet floor, broken step, or uneven floor, they must either fix the issue or put up warning signs to ensure guests are aware of the problem.

In some cases, a property owner will plead ignorance of an unsafe condition, but a lack of awareness of a problem is not an adequate defense, as victims need only 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. This is why slip-and-fall accident victims should consult with experienced attorneys for help proving liability before seeking compensation. Call our California law firm today for a free case evaluation with a San Diego slip-and-fall lawyer.

Who May Be Liable for Slip-and-Fall Accidents?

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, the spill on the ground, or any other hazard that caused them to suffer injuries. They might then try to deny liability on these bases. But it’s important to seek legal counsel in these circumstances, because the fact that an injured person could have seen a spill does not defeat the insurance claim or the right to recover compensation.

After all, it’s up to the individual or company that owns, manages, or maintains the property to make sure it is safe for visitors. This means they have a legal duty to inspect their property and make repairs as soon as possible. If they cannot immediately address any hazardous conditions, they must warn visitors until they can be corrected. In short, they’re expected to do everything possible to prevent serious fall accidents and the painful injuries they often cause victims.

The person who may be liable for your slip-and-fall accident will depend on who was in charge of maintaining the property when you fell. Often, the property owner has this responsibility, but sometimes this isn’t the case. For example, if your slip-and-fall accident occurred at a business, the business owner or manager may be liable for failing to ensure the property was safe for customers.

On the other hand, if a property manager, cleaning company, or maintenance crew was supposed to make repairs or clean the area to ensure it was safe for visitors, they could be liable for failing to do so. If your slip-and-fall accident occurred in a public space, such as at a park or federal building, the government agency in charge of maintaining it may be liable.

If you decide you want to pursue financial compensation, an experienced San Diego slip-and-fall attorney can investigate the details of your slip-and-fall case to determine who is liable for the damages. They can then take the steps to prove the ways in which the liable party was negligent. To do this, your personal injury lawyer will need to find evidence to show that:

  • There was a dangerous condition on the property.
  • The property owner or other liable party knew or should have known about the hazard.
  • The liable party failed to fix the hazard or warn guests about it.
  • The hazardous condition caused your slip-and-fall injuries.

These elements can be difficult to prove on your own, particularly as you heal from serious injuries sustained in a devastating slip-and-fall accident. This is why you should leave it to a skilled slip-and-fall accident attorney to identify the negligent party and hold them accountable. If you’re ready to determine who is liable for your San Diego slip-and-fall accident so you can seek compensation, call our Southern California law office today for a free consultation with a trusted slip-and-fall attorney.

What Are Some Common Injuries from Slip-And-Fall Accidents in San Diego?

The injuries that individuals can suffer from slip-and-fall accidents range from minor bruises to permanent wounds. This is why it’s so important to seek medical care right away, followed by pursuing compensation from the at-fault party if you’re worried about the cost of your medical bills.

Some of the most common slip-and-fall injuries include:

  • Broken bones, especially in the hips, wrists, and arms
  • Head injuries, including concussions
  • Sprains and strains
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Back and neck injuries, such as herniated discs
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Ankle injuries
  • Paralysis

We have seen many trip-and-fall clients sustain injuries worse than those sustained in severe car accidents, with some wounds being permanent or fatal, particularly when victims are elderly. Even seemingly minor injuries can end up taking years to recover from. For example, ankle and foot injuries can cause pain for years and may even result in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in rare cases. Thus, it is important to take these cases seriously.

At Martinez & Schill LLP, our personal injury attorneys 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, handling everything from personal injury claims against the liable party’s insurance company to personal injury lawsuits against the negligent party. If you’re ready to hold the at-fault party accountable for your slip-and-fall injuries, call our San Diego office to discuss your slip-and-fall case with a caring personal injury lawyer.

What Type of Compensation Can You Collect from a Slip-and-Fall Claim?

You deserve the chance to pursue financial compensation from the negligent property owner or other party responsible for causing your severe injuries. After all, as an injured slip-and-fall accident victim, you will likely face many expenses that you didn’t have before the painful accident, and you shouldn’t have to pay for them out of your own pocket. That’s why our San Diego slip-and-fall accident attorneys work hard to help our clients collect fair compensation.

The specific damages you’re entitled to will vary depending on the details of your slip-and-fall case, but they typically include:

  • Medical bills for any medical treatment you needed immediately after the slip-and-fall accident, such as the ambulance ride to the hospital, pain medication, surgery, and follow-up doctor visits
  • Future medical expenses you may have, such as physical therapy, medical devices, or ongoing medication
  • Property damage, if your phone, clothing, glasses, or any other personal belongings were damaged when you fell
  • Lost wages for any time you took off work due to your slip-and-fall injuries
  • Reduced earning capacity, assuming your slip-and-fall injuries will reduce your ability to work and earn the same amount you did before the accident
  • Pain and suffering, which refers to the physical pain and discomfort your injuries may cause you
  • Loss of quality of life, if you cannot enjoy the same hobbies or activities you once did
  • Emotional distress, such as depression or anxiety
  • Permanent disfigurement or disability due to the slip-and-fall accident

An experienced personal injury attorney can review the details of your accident before adding up the damages to request in your slip-and-fall injury claim. Our San Diego slip-and-fall lawyers want to ensure you’re not left dealing with your lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and other expenses on your own. Call our slip-and-fall lawyers today for help holding property owners or other negligent parties accountable for the injuries you suffered in a slip-and-fall accident.

How Can San Diego Slip-and-Fall Lawyers Help You?

If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident in San Diego County, it’s time to call Martinez & Schill LLP to schedule a free consultation with a caring personal injury attorney. When you meet with our team, we will listen carefully to your account of your accident, answer your questions, and provide you with an honest assessment of the validity of your slip-and-fall case.

Our personal injury attorneys have successfully handled a variety of personal injury cases for clients throughout Southern California, ensuring that victims of all types of painful accidents have access to the money they need for medical attention and other expenses. Over the years, our slip-and-fall lawyers have developed a strategic approach to gathering the evidence needed to prove our case and negotiate with insurance companies for the maximum compensation.

If you’re ready to learn what kind of settlement you can expect from your personal injury claim, call (619) 404-5806 to speak with a trusted slip-and-fall attorney. Our team will work hard to create a solid slip-and-fall claim capable of covering your medical expenses and other costs, so contact our slip-and-fall attorneys for legal representation before speaking with the liable party’s insurance company about your personal injury claim.