A slip and fall can occur on any property under various circumstances. These incidents often lead to injuries. The San Bernardino personal injury lawyers of OnderLaw know the physical, emotional, and financial implications of a slip and fall accident. We could help you hold the property owner liable and recover the maximum compensation possible for your injuries. If they were entirely responsible for your injury, you should not have to pay for any of the expenses you incur.

People expect property owners to provide a safe place for them to visit. Keeping the property in good condition means routinely maintaining all areas, removing hazards, and addressing anything that could be a danger to guests. You assume you won’t encounter something that puts you at risk of physical harm. However, poorly maintained properties typically result in injuries.

OnderLaw knows the uphill battle you face. You are in pain and require medical treatment to heal. However, you want to hold the property owner accountable for their actions. Taking on both tasks can become overwhelming. Our San Bernardino slip and fall accident lawyers will take on the responsibility for your case so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.

Let OnderLaw help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Call us today for your free consultation and discover what our legal team can do for you.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer? Why Choose OnderLaw?

An experienced lawyer can guide you during your case. The process of pursuing compensation from a negligent property owner is complicated. Most people don’t understand premises liability laws. You could end up making a mistake that results in a denied insurance claim if you try to take on your case alone.

OnderLaw can relieve your burden and handle every step on your behalf. We know what it takes to collect the necessary evidence to prove fault after a slip and fall. We are aggressive in our negotiations with insurance companies to get our clients the money they’re owed. You can depend on us to work hard to try to reach a favorable outcome.

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Anything has the potential to become hazardous and lead to a slip and fall. A light bulb could blow out, preventing a person from seeing the steps in a stairwell. Loose gravel on a sidewalk could throw someone off-balance, causing them to fall. A number of dangerous scenarios can arise that can cause injuries.

The most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:

  • Inadequate lighting
  • Wet floors
  • Loose rugs
  • Holes or dips in a lawn
  • Cracks in a sidewalk or parking lot
  • Unusual flooring transition
  • Lack of signs to warn about hazards
  • Damaged or missing railings
  • Torn carpeting
  • Obstructed hallways, aisles, and walkways
  • Broken steps
  • Loose floorboards
  • Stray electrical wires and cords
  • Lack of slip-resistant rugs or mats
  • Uneven surfaces

Dangerous conditions can occur if a property owner doesn’t properly maintain the property, an employee spills coffee and doesn’t immediately clean it up, and in various other circumstances.

Property Owner/Manager Responsibilities in California

Premises liability laws hold property owners liable for injuries to others due to their want of ordinary skill or care in managing the property. In other words, if the owner’s actions lead to a guest’s injury, they become financially responsible for resulting costs and losses.

A slip and fall accident is a type of premises liability case. It involves a visitor on someone’s property slipping on a foreign substance or object on the floor, such as a spilled drink. A range of parties could be at fault for the dangerous conditions on a property, such as:

  • Contractor or subcontractor
  • Property or business owner
  • Premises employee
  • Maintenance worker
  • Repair person
  • Landlord
  • Homeowner
  • Property management company

If one of these parties is at fault for a slip and fall accident, the property owner often assumes liability for the injured person’s losses. That’s because it’s the owner’s responsibility to know about the dangers on their property, even if someone else’s actions caused them.

Common Injuries Suffered in Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and falls can lead to emotional and physical trauma. They can also cause economic burdens. You could face debt if you require ongoing treatment to heal or manage a permanent injury. The cost of these bills often creates financial struggles.

At OnderLaw, our San Bernardino slip and fall accident lawyers understand the consequences victims typically face. It’s not fair that you’re suffering the adverse effects of another person’s negligence. You have every right to pursue the money you’re owed, so you have the means to afford your expenses.

Some of the most common injuries resulting from a slip and fall accident include:

  • Bruises and cuts
  • Spinal cord damage, back injuries, and paralysis
  • Mobility issues
  • Nerve damage
  • Joint dislocation
  • Broken bones
  • Traumatic brain injury or concussion
  • Emotional trauma
  • Neck injuries
  • Twisted or sprained ankle
  • Permanent scars
  • Pulled muscles
  • Torn tendons, tissue, and ligaments

The property owner or another party’s actions contributed to the hazards that led to the accident. They could have prevented this if they had been more careful. You likely need to endure various treatments to heal and could suffer the long-term consequences of a permanent injury. OnderLaw is ready to take on your case to help you get through this devastating ordeal and recover.

Compensation for Slip and Fall Accident Injuries

Two types of losses exist in slip and fall cases: economic and noneconomic. These losses often result from injuries suffered due to someone’s negligent actions. Economic losses are the expenses a person incurs after an accident, such as:

  • Medical expenses
  • Damage to personal property
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity

Noneconomic losses are intangible and challenging to calculate due to their subjective nature. They include:

  • Physical impairment or disfigurement
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Pain and suffering

The available options for seeking compensation for your losses will depend on the circumstances of the accident. If you were injured at a friend or family member’s home, you could file a homeowner’s insurance claim and negotiate for a settlement. That way, you don’t have to go after your loved one directly for the money you need to cover your losses.

You could file a claim with the owner’s liability insurance carrier if the accident occurred on public property, such as a restaurant or store.

For injuries in slip and falls on government properties, you could pursue a case against the governmental entity. The California Tort Claims Act allows individuals to file a claim for compensation if the entity or its employee were responsible for an accident.

If the insurance company denies your claim in any of these situations, you could move forward with a lawsuit. However, you must follow the statute of limitations. This is a strict deadline for initiating legal action against someone else. California has a two-year statute of limitations. That gives you two years from the date of your injury to sue the property owner if you want to seek compensation.

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

If you get hurt on another person’s property, it’s critical to take immediate action. Everything you do can impact your case negatively or positively. First, you should report what happened. If you were on public property, notify the manager and complete an incident report. Be sure to include all details of the event, so everything is in writing.

Try to take pictures of the accident scene. There could be evidence that helps you prove there were dangerous conditions that caused your injury. For example, if you slipped on a wet floor, take photos of the liquid on the floor.

You may have damaged personal items from the accident. You could have broken your watch or cell phone during the fall or torn your clothes. Preserve everything to submit as evidence during your case.

Go to the hospital after leaving the accident scene. A doctor should evaluate your injury and recommend a treatment plan. Follow their orders if they advise you need physical therapy, surgery, stitches, prescription medications, imaging tests, and any other type of treatment. You should attend all necessary appointments regularly until you recover or your medical providers release you from their care.

While you’re treating your injuries, you should also maintain all documents related to the case. Keep copies of any physician bills and medical records you receive. These can also serve as helpful evidence to show that you suffered an injury in the accident and required medical attention to heal.

You should not attempt to take on your claim or lawsuit alone. Hire a San Bernardino slip and fall accident lawyer from OnderLaw right away. While you’re attending your doctor’s appointments, you can depend on us to handle the legal aspects of your case. We can file your claim, gather all available evidence, and try to negotiate a settlement. If the insurance company offers a low amount or denies your claim entirely, we can proceed with a lawsuit on your behalf.

Contact Us

OnderLaw represents individuals who have been wronged by the negligence of others. Since 2002, our team has secured over $3.5 billion in settlements for accident victims. We always put forth our best efforts to try to reach our client’s desired result. You will be our top priority and receive the one-on-one attention you deserve.

If you sustained injuries in a slip and fall on another person’s dangerous property, call OnderLaw right now. One of our San Bernardino slip and fall accident lawyers can talk to you about your legal options during a free consultation.