One small slip can change your life in an instant. Broken bones, hospital bills, and lost work add up fast. If you fell because someone failed to fix a hazard, you deserve help now. Our legal services are designed to support you through every step of your case. A Beverly Hills slip and fall lawyer with experience handling slip and fall cases in Beverly Hills today can guide you and fight for the money you need. Don’t wait while medical bills grow. Call Dordick Law Corporation at (310) 736-2866 today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your rights and how we can help.
How Do Slip and Falls Happen?
Most people don’t expect to fall when they run errands or visit someone’s house. The truth is that slip and fall accidents happen every day. Some of the common causes include wet floors, uneven surfaces such as cracked sidewalks or loose tiles, torn carpeting, inadequate lighting, slippery floors, broken stairs, and loose carpets, all of which can catch anyone by surprise.
Stores, restaurants, and apartment buildings must keep their places safe. When they don’t fix hazards like wet floors, uneven surfaces, torn carpeting, or inadequate lighting, or fail to post warning signs, they put everyone at risk of slip and fall accidents.
A puddle on the grocery floor, a broken handrail on a staircase, or poor lighting in a hallway can cause a bad fall. You might suffer a sprained ankle, a broken wrist, or even a head injury.
Who Is Responsible for a Slip and Fall?
California law requires property owners to keep their property safe for visitors. This means owners have a duty of care. When they ignore dangerous conditions, they fail that duty. This is called a breach of the duty of care.
Proving liability in a slip and fall case requires showing the property owner’s negligence in addressing a hazardous condition. If the property owner knew or should have known about a hazardous condition and failed to act, this negligence involved can be central to your claim.
A store owner who ignores a wet floor or fails to post a warning sign or a landlord who doesn’t fix broken steps can cause you to fall. If you can show that the owner knew or should have known about the danger, you may win your case, and the insurance company may be responsible for paying damages if negligence is proven.
Understanding Premises Liability
A slip and fall case is governed by premises liability law. Slip and fall cases are a type of personal injury case and fall case, where the injured party seeks compensation for injuries caused by hazardous conditions. These laws allow you to hold the property owner responsible for unsafe conditions on their premises.
If you fell at a store, restaurant, hotel, or even on a sidewalk, you may have a claim. In slip and fall cases, it is important to gather necessary evidence—such as maintenance records, witness statements, and expert testimony—as well as timely evidence documenting the hazard, to support your claim and establish liability. A slip and fall attorney in Beverly Hills can collect evidence that proves the owner failed to fix or warn about the danger.
Sometimes, owners blame the victim. They may say you weren’t watching where you walked. Our state has a pure comparative fault law. Under this law, you can still obtain compensation even if you share some fault. Your payment will be reduced by your percentage of blame.
What Counts as Property Owner Negligence?
Not every fall means you can sue. You must prove that the property owner was negligent. This may include instances where they knew about the hazard or should have known about the specific danger and didn’t fix it. Some common examples include:
- A store that leaves water on the floor for hours
- A landlord who doesn’t fix broken steps
- A business that ignores torn carpet
- A parking lot with poor lighting
Maintenance records can be crucial evidence to show whether the owner took steps to prevent injuries by regularly inspecting and repairing hazards. Failure to address these hazards can result in fall injuries, including significant injuries that may require medical and legal action.
These hazards create liability for unsafe conditions. A Beverly Hills trip and fall lawyer knows what evidence you need to show the owner failed their duty.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall
Falls can shock you and leave you hurt. Take these steps right away to protect your health and your claim:
- Seek medical attention immediately after a fall. Even if you feel okay, it is important to have a medical professional evaluate you, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Prompt medical attention can also help document your injuries for both your health and any legal claim.
- Tell the manager or owner about the fall. Ask them to make a report.
- Take photos of where you fell, what caused it, and your injuries to preserve timely evidence.
- Get names and numbers of witnesses who saw you fall.
- Keep any shoes or clothes you wore. They may show evidence.
- Call a premises liability attorney in Beverly Hills to learn about your rights.
Common Injuries from Falls
Some people brush off falls. However, even a simple fall can cause big problems. Slip and fall injuries are common and can lead to serious health risks. You might suffer these common injuries:
- Broken Bones – These fall injuries can make everyday tasks like walking, driving, or carrying things nearly impossible while you heal. Some breaks may need surgery and can leave you with lasting pain or weakness.
- Torn Ligaments – Torn ligaments often require a long recovery and can limit how you move your joints. Even after treatment, you might feel stiffness or lose strength in that part of your body.
- Head or Neck Injuries – These injuries can cause headaches, dizziness, or trouble concentrating. Some people develop memory problems or ongoing pain that makes work or school difficult.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – A slip and fall injury can result in traumatic brain injuries, which may cause severe brain damage, long-term cognitive issues, and require extensive medical care.
- Back Injuries – Back injuries can make standing, sitting, or lifting heavy things very painful. Sometimes, back pain never fully goes away and can limit your daily activities.
- Cuts or Bruises – Deep cuts can lead to infections or scars that affect how you feel about your appearance. Bad bruises can be painful and may hide more serious injuries underneath.
A slip and fall injury can have long-term consequences. Bad slip and fall injuries may need rehabilitation and physical therapy for months, leading to significant rehabilitation costs. You may miss work or school. Some people never fully recover and experience a permanent disability from a fall injury, which can be difficult to deal with.
Medical Costs and Lost Income
After a fall, you may face high bills for doctor visits, surgery, and rehab. Health insurance may not cover everything. If you can’t work, you lose income too. A premises liability lawsuit allows you to seek compensation under California Tort Law for:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Hospital bills
- Ongoing therapy
- Medical devices like crutches
- Lost paychecks
- Future lost income
- Pain and suffering
You can seek compensation for all your losses, including future medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. Your Beverly Hills slip and fall attorney will assess the value of your case and build a strong claim to pursue maximum compensation and a fair settlement. No matter what type of accident you were involved in, you generally have two years from the date of your fall to sue. If you miss this window, you lose your right to claim money through the courts. For this reason, you must act quickly.
How Insurance Settlements Work
Most slip and fall claims are paid through the property owner’s insurance. Negotiating with the insurance company is a key step in seeking a fair settlement that fully compensates you for your injuries and losses. Insurance companies often try to pay as little as possible. They may blame you or say your injury isn’t serious.
An experienced slip and fall lawyer in Beverly Hills, California can push back and demand a fair settlement from the insurance company. If the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement, legal action may be necessary to pursue the compensation you deserve. Many cases settle before trial, but your lawyer should prepare for either outcome.
Can I Sue for Falling in a Public Place?
If you are hurt in a slip and fall accident while in a public location, you may still have the right to sue. You will still have to prove that the owner of the property did not fix a danger and that you incurred injuries in an accident. If you fall at a store, park, or other public spot, the city or business may be responsible. Special rules apply to slip and fall cases on government property, including stricter legal procedures and much shorter deadlines for filing a claim. Our firm has extensive experience handling slip and fall cases in Los Angeles County, and we are familiar with the unique requirements for claims involving government property. You must act fast because time limits can be shorter for claims against cities.
How a Lawyer Helps
You don’t have to face this alone. Seeking legal counsel from a knowledgeable slip and fall accident lawyer at our law firm can make a significant difference in your case. Our experienced slip and fall attorneys in Beverly Hills can:
- Investigate the cause of your fall
- Collect photos, videos, or witness statements
- Work with doctors to show how badly you’re hurt
- Handle insurance companies that pressure you to settle for cheap
- Take your case to court if needed
The right legal help from a dedicated fall accident lawyer can mean a bigger payout and less stress for you.
How Much Is a Slip and Fall Worth?
How much a slip and fall case is worth depends on your unique situation. Some people win thousands of dollars, while others receive settlements in the hundreds of thousands.
The amount you may receive depends on how badly you were hurt and how much you spent on medical care, including hospital visits, physical therapy, and any future treatments you might need. The time you miss from work also affects what you can recover, since lost wages add up fast. If your fall left you with lasting pain, scars, or a permanent disability, that can increase the value of your claim, too.
If you have suffered injuries or damages due to a slip and fall, the goal is to achieve favorable outcomes that maximize your compensation and address the harm you endured.
A strong case demonstrates precisely how the fall altered your life and its impact on your daily routine, your ability to work, and your emotional well-being. A good slip and fall lawyer will gather all the details, work with your doctors, and help you fight for fair compensation that truly covers what you’ve lost and what you may still face ahead.
Why Some People Don’t Sue
Many people feel embarrassed about falling. They don’t want to make trouble or think they can’t prove it wasn’t their fault. However, slip and fall victims have legal rights and may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. In cases where a slip and fall accident results in a fatality, wrongful death claims can provide financial relief for funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional damages for surviving family members. Remember, it’s not your fault if someone didn’t fix a hazard. Your claim may help you pay your bills and push owners to keep their premises safer for everyone.
You Have Rights
A slip and fall can turn your life upside down. However, California law protects you when owners fail to fix dangers. You have the right to fair payment for your injuries. If you’re not sure whether you have a case, talking to a Beverly Hills trip and fall lawyer is the best first step. You don’t pay anything upfront. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if we successfully recover compensation for you.
Get Help From a Beverly Hills Slip and Fall Lawyer
No one wants to trip or slip and get hurt. However, when a property owner ignores a danger and you have suffered injuries as a result, you deserve to get your life back on track. A good Beverly Hills personal injury lawyer and law firm can stand by you every step of the way. You don’t have to argue with insurance companies alone or stress about hidden medical bills that keep coming.
Our team of attorneys know how to build strong claims and hold property owners accountable when they break safety rules. We take your worries seriously and listen when others won’t. You focus on healing while we handle the paperwork and calls and push for fair payment.
Our legal services are designed to support those who have suffered from slip and fall accidents, guiding you through every step as you seek compensation for your injuries and losses.
Contact our Beverly Hills slip and fall lawyer at Dordick Law Corporation today by calling (310) 736-2866 to get started with a consultation. We’re ready to help you see what’s possible after your fall and work toward the best outcome for your future.
