Have you suffered an injury on a property owned by another individual because of poor and inadequate upkeep? Slip and fall accidents can be the among reasons for the most common injuries. This can even lead to loss of income and hospitalization. That’s why you need to get the justice you deserve!

Here at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc., our experienced slip and fall accident lawyers in San Francisco are prepared to provide you with the legal support you need to pursue such a claim. We are not only well-equipped to handle the administrative aspects of your case, such as filing within the statute of limitations, providing supporting evidence, and keeping track of all paperwork. But we also offer connections to top-level researchers and expert witnesses who can make a difference in your case.

WHAT IS PREMISES LIABILITY?

Premises liability is a significant branch of personal injury. These cases involve injury while on the property of another individual or more specifically, on a property that lacks satisfactory maintenance or proper cautionary signage.

Like any personal injury case, the determining factor in premises liability is negligence. If the negligence of a property owner caused your injury, a slip and fall accident lawyer can advocate for you.

Some of the most common types of premises liability cases include the following:

  • Slip and fall

Water or any other substance is present on the floor, causing you to slip and sustain an injury.

  • Trip and fall

You trip over a construction or maintenance defect in the floor of a property and suffer an injury.

  • Retail store negligence

You were injured inside a retail store because of a potentially harmful defect.

  • Negligent security

You were inadequately protected at a facility that provides security.

  • Assaults and attacks

You suffered assault and/or battery on property owned by another person.

  • Daycare negligence

Your child suffered injuries when he or she was not properly looked after in a childcare facility.

  • Dog bites

You were attacked or bitten by a dog owned by another individual.

UNDERSTANDING SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS

Before filing a slip and fall lawsuit, you need to identify two assumptions to help make your case: Is there an existence of a dangerous condition? Can a person of average intelligence foresee the potentially harmful environment?

After identifying these principles, you need to prove the absence of three factors — duty of care, negligence, and responsibility — to establish your case.

DUTY OF CARE

This largely depends on whether or not you are invited to the property. If you are invited to the property there is a high duty of care towards you. On the other hand, there is no duty of care if you trespassed a property.

Remember that commercial spaces, like restaurants, stores, and supermarkets owe a duty to maintain a safe environment for their customers.

NEGLIGENCE

Since the duty of care is established, the next thing to consider is whether such duty is neglected. It is also imperative to assess if the failure to exercise care is the reason for the slip and fall injuries. This only highlights that not all slip and fall accidents result in lawsuits.

For example, if you slipped and fell in a restaurant, but there is a clear warning sign for the wet floor, it won’t be considered negligent. However, it would be tagged as a clear case of negligence in the absence of a sign, or it wasn’t easily visible.

RESPONSIBILITY

Determining the defendant in a slip and fall accident is essential. It is among the factors to help establish your case. Someone must be responsible for the accident. It can be an individual or an institution that did not perform their duty of care or acted negligently, resulting in your accident.

WHAT ARE THE LAWS ON SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS IN CALIFORNIA?

There are many legal doctrines and laws in California which could affect your case. The most important rules to consider are:

  • STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FILING A SLIP AND FALL LAWSUIT

Typically, California has a two-year deadline for filing slip & fall suits. However, this deadline can be extended. It usually depends on your unique situation.

  • SHARED FAULT CLAUSE

This rule highlights that the negligent party should only be held responsible for the injuries or damages they have caused. So, if you are partially at fault for your injuries, you need to determine the contributory negligence and comparative negligence among all parties.

To understand your situation better, don’t hesitate to speak with reputable lawyers. They can help address your concerns and provide the best advice for your case.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IN SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS?

Gathering evidence is the key to help you establish your case. If you have slipped, tripped, or fallen, you must always be keen to follow these steps:

  • TAKE PHOTOS.

Before leaving the premises, you can take pictures of the accident scene. You can also include some photos of your injuries; all of these can be used as evidence to strengthen your case.

  • ASK AROUND.

If someone saw the accident, ask for their names and contact information. This way, they can help testify and attest to what happened during the accident.

  • GET A COPY OF THE ACCIDENT REPORT.

When you slipped and fell in commercial spaces, such as retail stores, hotels, or event areas, a security team handles the incident and files an accident report on your behalf. However, if this is not possible, you can ask the manager to document everything. Always ask for a copy of the accident report. It will serve as proof of the incident and your injuries.

In case you didn’t take any photos or evidence about the accident, you should not worry. Our team of slip and fall accident attorneys at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. are committed to collect the necessary information to support your claim.

ALWAYS DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY!

Why get stuck in paying medical bills from a slip and fall accident caused by someone else? If you’ve suffered an injury due to a slip-and-fall accident on someone’s public or commercial property, you may be entitled to get compensation.

With the help of slip and fall accident attorneys, you can file a personal injury claim, gather evidence to prove the property owner’s liability, and recover your losses.

CONTACT CALIFORNIA’S TRUSTED SLIP AND FALL LAWYERS TODAY!

If you need a San Francisco slip and fall lawyer and believe your injury is a case of premises liability, we can help you recover the damages to which you are entitled.

Take control of your situation and get the justice you deserve! Contact The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. today! Our San Francisco Slip and Fall Lawyers will work to help you recover financial damages to compensate for the physical and emotional damage you suffered.

For many years, we’ve served the communities of San Jose, Oakland, Sacramento, Palo Alto, and cities throughout California. Interested to know more? Get in touch with us!

Here at Cartwright Law Firm, Inc., your initial consultation is FREE! Schedule a case review by completing the form on our website today. For more urgent concerns, you can call us at 415-433-0444 in San Francisco or 707-361-4255 in the North Bay.