If the dangerous conditions on someone else’s property caused your injuries, you might be able to hold the property owner liable. The Oakland personal injury attorneys of OnderLaw have been handling premises liability cases since 2002 and know the state laws and procedures necessary to develop a successful legal strategy. We can be your advocate during this difficult time in your life and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Property owners and their employees and homeowners must maintain a safe space for visitors. The building must meet safety standards and codes, and owners should perform routine maintenance to keep the interior and exterior in excellent shape. Prompt repairs are also necessary for the proper upkeep of the entire property.

At OnderLaw, our Oakland slip and fall attorneys know the aftermath of an accident can be traumatic and overwhelming. You face an uphill battle recovering from your injuries and seeking compensation from the at-fault party. Dealing with both at the same time can cause a significant amount of stress. You shouldn’t be responsible for the legal aspects of your claim or lawsuit, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing.

OnderLaw can take on the responsibility of your insurance claim or lawsuit so you can focus on healing your injuries. We can investigate the accident to determine who was at fault and gather all the necessary evidence to prove it. Do not hesitate to contact us for your free consultation and let us help you pursue the justice you deserve. Call now.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer? Why Choose OnderLaw?

Slip and fall accidents belong to a category of cases known as premises liability. It can be a challenge to handle the process of getting compensation without the help of an experienced lawyer. It’s tough in the immediate aftermath of an accident if you’re in shock and don’t have the mental capacity to make good decisions.

OnderLaw will take over for you and complete each step of your claim or lawsuit so you don’t face the burden of building a case yourself. When you hire us, we can:

  • Investigate the accident to find out what caused it
  • Obtain available evidence that proves someone else was responsible for your injuries
  • Request copies of all pertinent insurance policies to determine the available coverage
  • Track down witnesses to get their statements
  • Negotiate a settlement with the insurance company
  • Initiate a lawsuit if the insurance company denies the claim or offers inadequate compensation

The Oakland slip and fall attorneys of OnderLaw will fight by your side until we resolve your case. We always try to find a way to meet our client’s needs, so you walk away with the money you’re owed. You should not be responsible for your medical treatment and other expenses when another person’s negligence caused the accident.

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and falls happen frequently throughout the country. More than one million people visit the emergency room every year for injuries sustained in a slip and fall. A wide range of different factors can contribute to this type of accident. However, property owner negligence often leads to injuries.

The most common causes of slip and fall accidents are:

  • Slippery floors
  • Obstructed walkways
  • Damaged or missing handrails
  • Inadequate lighting in stairwells and other dark areas
  • Loose rugs, mats, and carpeting
  • Objects left in hallways
  • Defective staircases
  • Cracked pavement
  • Uneven flooring
  • Lack of warning signs near hazards
  • Potholes

This isn’t a comprehensive list of all the possible causes of slip and fall accidents. If one of these or some other factor resulted in your injuries, you should reach out to OnderLaw for legal representation. Property owners hire experienced and intimidating insurance companies and defense attorneys to represent them. Going up against them alone can be a scary experience. You shouldn’t face them without a skilled lawyer in your corner to help you handle the confusing aspects of your case.

Property Owner/Manager Responsibilities in California

Premises liability law includes various types of cases involving injuries and illnesses suffered on someone’s property. Pursuing a slip and fall claim means following the same set of laws that dictate all premises liability cases.

The negligent party that caused the accident could be a property owner, occupier, or lessor. Property owners include both residential homeowners and business owners. The process for seeking compensation from a homeowner is slightly different than pursuing a case against a business owner.

You must prove negligence existed at the time of the accident to hold the owner liable for your medical treatment and other expenses. That means you must show evidence that they failed to keep their property in a reasonably safe condition and make the necessary repairs or replacements to avoid harming guests.

Common examples of negligence in slip and fall cases are:

  • Noticing spilled liquid on the floor and failing to mop it up or place a warning sign next to it
  • Constructing a new building or home without meeting safety and building codes
  • Allowing visitors to enter dangerous areas of the property

Proving negligence is difficult. You can’t simply say that the owner caused your injuries. You must have solid proof. That’s why it’s crucial that you hire an Oakland slip and fall attorney immediately after the accident. We know what it takes to win cases like this and get our clients appropriate compensation from the at-fault party.

Common Injuries Suffered in Slip and Fall Accidents

Whether you stepped into a pothole and twisted your ankle or fell off a balcony that had defective railings, you could suffer injuries requiring emergency medical care and ongoing treatment. Medical bills are expensive and can lead to massive debt if you can’t afford to pay. It becomes a significant burden and can destroy your financial standing.

Injuries range vastly in severity. Some are minor, while others are life-threatening. The most common injuries caused by slip and fall accidents are:

  • Sprained ankles
  • Pulled muscles
  • Broken bones
  • Nerve damage
  • Traumatic brain injury or concussion
  • Scrapes, cuts, and bruises
  • Dislocated joints
  • Internal bleeding and damage
  • Psychological trauma
  • Back injuries
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Burns
  • Electrocution

If you sustain a permanent injury, you could end up with a disability. Long-term treatment places unnecessary stress in your life. If you can’t afford your current medical bills, there’s no way you can afford the future cost of ongoing treatment. It might take years before you can resume your normal routine or start working again. Even if your physical scars heal, you could face struggles with anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues.

Compensation for Slip and Fall Accident Injuries

You probably suffered several different losses from the accident. Even if there was minimal physical harm, there might be a few medical bills you need to pay. The compensation you receive from the at-fault party should cover these losses, so you’re not forced to pay for anything out of pocket.

The losses you may be eligible to pursue in an insurance claim or lawsuit include:

  • Emotional distress
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Damage to personal property
  • Physical impairment or disfigurement
  • Pain and suffering
  • Medical bills
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

At OnderLaw, we aim to recover the highest possible compensation for our clients. We know how to maximize the value of a slip and fall case and determine the correct monetary value to compensate for an accident victim’s total losses. Factors that might contribute to the number we come up with are:

  • The psychological effect of the accident
  • Coverage on the at-fault party’s insurance policy
  • Availability of sufficient evidence to prove who was at fault
  • Type and severity of the injury
  • Length of the recovery period
  • Permanent injuries caused by the accident
  • Impact of the injury on work, school, or other responsibilities

You can depend on us to calculate your past and future losses, so the compensation we demand from the negligent individual or company is enough to cover your expenses. You shouldn’t be left with any bills to pay yourself when your actions didn’t contribute to the accident.

What to Do if You’re Injured in a Slip and Fall

You need to take immediate steps after a slip and fall accident and follow specific steps in the weeks, months, and even years after. First, you should go to a hospital for treatment of your injury. If the doctor recommends following up with a chiropractor, orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist, or another medical provider, listen to them.

Insurance companies don’t want to meet your needs. They’re looking out for themselves and want to avoid paying large settlements. That means they will investigate the accident and find evidence they can use to deny your claim or provide a lowball offer. If your initial doctor’s appointment isn’t immediately after the accident or there are significant gaps between appointments, that could indicate that your injury isn’t serious or doesn’t exist at all.

The next thing you should do is report your injury to the property owner or manager in writing. Keep a copy of your report for your records.

Preserve the clothing you were wearing at the time of the accident in the same condition it was in that day. Set your clothing and shoes aside after the accident. Take pictures of them on your person before you take them off, and keep them separate in case they’re needed to provide evidence in your case.

You should also hire an Oakland slip and fall attorney from OnderLaw. We can begin our work on your case while you’re treating your injuries. It takes time to prepare a case, and we’ll need to file your claim as soon as possible to avoid any delays in the process.

It’s also critical that you maintain records and any documentation related to the accident and your injury. Keep a copy of your doctor bills, medical records, surgical reports, prescription receipts, and anything else we can use to prove what happened.

Contact OnderLaw Today

OnderLaw knows that no amount of money can change the circumstances you’re in. It can’t turn back time and prevent the accident from occurring. However, adequate compensation can provide some financial relief as you’re recovering from your injuries and receiving various medical bills. You should not suffer financial consequences when another person failed to keep you safe on their property.

Call us for a free consultation with one of our Oakland slip and fall attorneys if you suffered injuries due to the negligent actions of a property owner or homeowner.