A single slip and fall accident can create unexpected medical and financial challenges. One minute you are walking through a store or across a parking lot, and the next, you are dealing with injuries, medical bills, and a lot of frustration. If that sounds familiar, it might be time to speak with a slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles who can help.
With nearly 30 years of combined trial experience, The Ryan Law Group has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact slip and fall accidents can have on families. We are here to listen and take the pressure off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
If you are unsure where to start, give us a call. A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer from our firm can assess your options and help you determine the next steps.
How a Los Angeles Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help You
If you are still hurting after a fall, you should not have to worry about figuring out legal steps on your own. An experienced personal injury attorney can step in to handle the heavy lifting and protect you from predatory insurance companies. Here is how our team supports you from start to finish:
Investigating the Accident Scene
Any personal injury claim will start with investigating the accident scene. We can take the lead on investigations and look for evidence of the landowner’s fault.
We are adept at modern evidence-gathering techniques and have experience working with qualified professionals whose testimony helps corroborate your claim.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
In most cases, your lawsuit is against the property owner, but the real challenge is with insurance adjusters. Adjusters work hard to protect the insurer’s interests, and they are quick to look for ways to reduce or deny your claim. Our team knows how to negotiate and push back against those tactics.
Comparative fault can also become an issue as the defense might try to argue that you were partially responsible for your own fall. If they succeed, your compensation could be reduced. You should not be penalized because someone else failed to keep their property safe.
Handling Your Case from Start to Finish
From the moment we take your case, we are here to guide you through every step. Whether negotiating a settlement or preparing for trial, we stay focused on achieving results and keep you informed. A case manager will remain in touch to ensure you know what’s happening and who to call.
We also take cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not owe upfront costs, and fees apply only if we recover compensation for you.
It is one more way we make the process easier, so you can focus on healing while we focus on achieving the best possible result.
For a Free Legal Consultation With a Slip And Fall Accident Lawyer Serving Los Angeles, Call (310) 321-4800
Common Injuries From Slip and Fall Accidents
The force and trauma from a fall can cause a wide range of injuries. Even a fall from a short height can cause a serious injury, depending on how you fall.
Below are some of the most common injuries from slip and fall accidents:
- Sprains and muscle strains
- Bruising and soft-tissue injuries
- Joint dislocations
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Hand, wrist, and forearm injuries
- Neck injuries and herniated discs
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Torso, hip, and leg injuries
Regardless of what kind of injuries you have, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. A medical professional can give you a formal diagnosis and document your condition. Your personal injury lawyer will need hard copies of medical records to provide insurance companies with proof of your injuries.
Los Angeles Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Near Me (310) 321-4800
Proving Negligence in a Los Angeles Slip and Fall Accident
Slip and fall accidents can turn a simple moment into a long and painful recovery. But not every fall means you have a case. To move forward with a claim, you will need to show that the property owner failed to fix or warn you about a hazard that they should have known about.
What You Must Prove Under State Law
According to the legal doctrine of premises liability, property owners owe a duty of care to keep their premises in a condition that does not pose an unnecessary risk to others.
That applies whether the property is a private home, a grocery store, or a public building.
To hold someone legally responsible, you must prove three things:
- The owner owed you a duty of care.
- The owner failed to fulfill that duty by allowing a hazardous condition to exist or failing to warn you.
- The hazardous condition directly caused your injury.
It sounds simple, but gathering all the necessary proof takes time, strategy, and a strong understanding of how liability works in slip and fall claims.
Duty of Care and Visitor Legal Status
Having a duty of care means that the landowner must make efforts to identify and fix property hazards that could harm visitors. However, the exact degree of effort they must expend depends on the visitor’s legal status:
- Invitees are visitors on the premises for commercial purposes (e.g., a customer).
- Licensees are visitors on the property for non-commercial or personal purposes (e.g., a houseguest).
- Trespassers are visitors who are unlawfully on the property without permission.
Landowners owe the highest duty of care to invitees and must fix and inspect for hidden hazards. For licensees, property owners must fix known risks, but do not have to look for hidden ones. Landowners owe limited duties to trespassers under California law, which include avoiding willful or wanton harm.
Determining your visitor status when the accident happened is a key element of slip and fall personal injury claims. Your visitor status affects what kinds of acts or omissions would count as negligence on the part of the landowner.
What Evidence Helps Support Your Case
The best thing you can do is gather evidence while the details are still fresh. Here are a few key things we recommend collecting early:
- Photos of the hazard that caused your fall
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or properties
- Medical records showing your injuries
- Testimony from qualified medical professionals concerning your condition
- Written incident reports from the location where you fell
- Receipts or timestamps showing when you were there
- Shoes or clothing you were wearing at the time
- Communications with the property owner or staff
- Maintenance records showing a lack of repair
- Documentation of missed work or wage loss
- A journal of your symptoms and recovery process
The more documentation you have, the better your chances of negotiating a fair settlement. Slip and fall cases often come down to the details, and the sooner your personal injury attorney begins organizing your evidence, the stronger your case will be.
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Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall injuries can happen anywhere, and the property owner is not always automatically responsible. However, if the accident occurred because someone failed to take care of the property the way they should have, you might have grounds to take legal action. Knowing what caused your fall is the first step toward building your case.
Some of the most common defective property conditions that lead to serious slip and fall injury cases in Los Angeles include:
- Slippery floors after spills or cleaning.
- Wet walkways from rain without mats or warning signs.
- Poor lighting in stairwells or hallways.
- Cracked or uneven sidewalks and broken pavement.
- Loose tiles or torn carpet.
- Unexpected drop-offs or changes in flooring.
- Unmarked steps or uneven stairs.
- Debris or clutter left in walking paths.
- Improper cleaning materials used on slick surfaces.
- No signage warning about known hazards.
When a business or property owner ignores a danger they should have fixed or warned you about, it can open the door to a premises liability claim. Below are some hypothetical scenarios where a slip and fall lawsuit might be justified:
- A customer slips in a grocery store aisle when the owner fails to leave a “wet floor” sign after mopping.
- A houseguest trips into an unmarked hole in the backyard because the property owner failed to cover or block it off.
- A pedestrian slips in a parking lot due to slippery surfaces from weather or irrigation runoff.
- A person slips and falls in the stairwell of a parking garage due to insufficient lighting.
- A store patron trips over a loose rug in the building’s entryway.
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Who Can Be Held Responsible
Under premises liability law, the property owner is generally responsible for ensuring the area is safe. This includes landlords, business owners, government entities, and even management companies. They are expected to identify and rectify hazards, monitor conditions, and alert visitors when an issue cannot be resolved immediately.
Even if an employee or maintenance worker made the mistake, the legal responsibility still usually falls on the property owner. Proving fault under premises liability laws is not always simple, especially when multiple parties are involved.
That is where a Los Angeles personal injury attorney with The Ryan Law Group can step in to protect your rights by determining who is at fault for your slip and fall.
Types of Compensation a Los Angeles Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help You With
The effects of a fall can follow you for months or even years, especially when your injuries limit your ability to work or take care of yourself. That is why it is crucial to understand the types of compensation or damages that may be available in your case. Our team builds every claim around the specific ways your life has changed.
Medical Expenses and Economic Losses
Slip and fall accidents often result in a significant amount of medical bills. From emergency care to physical therapy, every appointment adds up. You may also need time away from work or even in-home help during your recovery. Your personal injury attorney will also account for future care if your injuries leave long-term complications.
Pain, Suffering, and Long-Term Harm
It is not just about the physical pain. When your injuries interfere with sleep, limit your independence, or make you feel like a burden, those losses matter too. Other adverse outcomes include anxiety, emotional distress, or fear of falling again.
These types of non-economic losses are just as real, even though they are harder to assign a dollar amount to. We can assess the degree of your distress and calculate an appropriate figure for non-economic damages.
When Wrongful Death or Serious Disability is Involved
In the most serious cases, a fall can lead to a permanent disability or even a loved one’s death. These outcomes are incredibly painful and deserve a different level of care and attention.
If your family is grieving after a fatal injury, we will work with you to pursue compensation for funeral costs, the loss of companionship, and the financial support your loved one provided. No amount of money can replace your loved one, but a settlement can provide financial stability for moving forward.
Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Injury Cases in California
California Code of Civil Procedure 335.1 gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit for slip and fall injuries. Once the personal injury statute of limitations expires, your claim for damages will become invalid under California law.
Typically, the counter starts from the date you were injured. In the case of hidden or delayed injuries, the timer instead begins from when you discovered your condition.
Two years might seem like a long time, but personal injury cases can take months or even years to resolve. The best option is to seek legal advice and initiate proceedings as early as possible.
Time Limit for Claims Against Government Entities
If the fall occurred while you were on government property, then a different time limit applies. Under California law, you must first file an administrative claim with the appropriate government entity within six months of the injury date.
If the claim is denied or more than 45 days pass, you then have six further months to take legal action. Note that you cannot file a lawsuit unless you first file a written claim with the relevant government agency. Missing this step will forever prohibit you from suing the government for your injuries.
Speak with a Slip and Fall Attorney in Los Angeles from The Ryan Law Group Today
If you are dealing with injuries after a fall, you do not have to figure it all out on your own. Our team at The Ryan Law Group has the experience, the resources, and the heart to step in and help you move forward. We have recovered over $100 million for deserving clients and are here to offer assistance.
You need a Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer who truly cares about what comes next for you. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
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