You could suffer a slip and fall on any property you visit. Some accidents don’t result in significant physical harm. There might be a couple of minor scrapes and bruises. Others cause broken bones, concussions, and other severe injuries. The Stockton personal injury lawyers of OnderLaw have seen the consequences injured victims must face after a slip and fall accident. Emergency medical care is often necessary, as well as ongoing treatment to heal the injury.

When you’re seeking treatment after an accident, you receive bills from the hospital, radiologist, surgeon, physical therapist, and other medical providers. These costs can reach thousands of dollars and become a massive financial burden. If you can’t afford to pay your bills, you could end up in debt, and some bills might go to collections.

Slip and fall accidents fall under the broader category of premises liability accidents. There are state laws that homeowners and business owners must follow to keep other people safe. If they don’t maintain their property or perform necessary repairs, someone could get hurt. If the owner were negligent in causing the accident, they would become liable for the victim’s medical bills and other expenses.

The Stockton slip and fall accident lawyers of OnderLaw can represent you and pursue the compensation you deserve from the property owner. We have extensive experience handling insurance claims and litigating cases in court. Whether the matter is simple or complex, we will put forth the necessary effort to get the job done. You can depend on our legal team to fight for you and be your advocate during this devastating time in your life.

For a free consultation at OnderLaw , call us today and let us help you get on the road to recovery.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer? Why Choose OnderLaw ?

Our hardworking Stockton slip and fall accident lawyers have secured over $3.5 billion in settlements for our clients since opening our firm in 2002. We have built a stellar reputation and received multiple awards and accolades from various prestigious organizations. Super Lawyers, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and The National Trial Lawyers are just a few organizations that have recognized us for our work.

OnderLaw understands the stress of paying for the costs you incur after a slip and fall. It can cause economic strain, especially if your injury prevents you from working. We don’t want to add to the burden you already face, and so we can take your case on contingency. That means you’re not responsible for upfront fees or costs. You won’t have to pay us for our legal services unless we recover compensation for you.

You can reach someone at OnderLaw at any time of day. With our 24/7 services, someone will always answer your call to discuss your case and address any concerns you may have. We believe in providing dependable customer service to our clients, so you feel like a priority. Our personalized services and one-on-on attention shows accident victims the level of dedication we’ll devote to meeting their needs and reaching a favorable outcome in their cases.

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

A slip and fall can happen in any scenario for multiple reasons. They occur when the property owner fails in their duty to provide a safe place for guests and prevent them from coming to harm.

OnderLaw has experience handling a range of slip and fall accident cases. The most common places a slip and fall can occur are:

  • Parking lots
  • Swimming pools
  • Private homes
  • Apartment buildings
  • Retail stores
  • Amusement parks
  • Staircases
  • Public parks
  • Office buildings
  • Movie theaters
  • Hotels
  • Shopping malls
  • Gyms or recreational facilities

 

Injuries can arise from a slip and fall in many situations. The most common causes include:

  • Wet or slippery floors
  • Obstructed walkways
  • Loose rugs or mats
  • Broken or missing railings
  • Broken steps
  • Lack of warning signs
  • Cracked sidewalks
  • Uneven flooring
  • Loose landscaping materials, such as gravel
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Cluttered aisles
  • Potholes
  • Damaged curbs

 

This isn’t a comprehensive list of all the possible hazards that can exist on someone’s property. If you were injured for any reason on another person’s property, you should call OnderLaw to determine if there’s a case you can pursue. It’s important to understand that just because you suffered injuries does not necessarily mean the owner is liable. Sometimes, accidents happen that don’t result from a person’s negligent actions.

Property Owner/Manager Responsibilities in California

Every property owner in California must follow premises liability laws. Anyone who owns, controls, occupies, or leases a premises and is negligent in their duties becomes liable for someone else’s injuries that were incurred on the property. Negligence is the failure to provide a reasonable degree of care to another person to avoid causing them harm.

You could seek compensation from the property owner if:

  • They didn’t use reasonable care to maintain a safe property; or
  • They didn’t use reasonable care to repair, replace, or provide adequate warning to visitors for the unsafe conditions on their property.

 

The owner isn’t the only person responsible for keeping a property in a reasonably safe condition. However, the owner is the one who would be liable for an injury even if someone else were at fault for the hazard. A slip and fall case could involve any of these parties:

  • Homeowner or a person who resides with them
  • An employee of a business
  • Maintenance worker
  • Cleaning service
  • Contractor
  • Construction worker
  • Landlord
  • Business owner
  • Property management company
  • Landlord
  • Renter or tenant

 

Since multiple parties could share fault for a slip and fall, it’s crucial that you hire an experienced Stockton slip and fall accident lawyer. We can investigate the scene, speak to witnesses, and review all available evidence to determine who caused your injuries.

Cases like this are a huge undertaking. You will need a legal team in your corner handling all aspects of the process, so you’re not forced to take on the responsibility yourself. If you don’t seek legal representation, you could face obstacles you don’t know how to overcome and lose your case.

Common Injuries Suffered in Slip and Fall Accidents

The injuries associated with slip and falls range in severity. Some injuries only require some stitches to close up wounds, while others are severe and require ongoing medical treatment. Even if you suffered minimal physical harm, you may be eligible to recover some compensation from the negligent property owner.

The most common injuries slip and fall accidents cause include:

  • Sprained ankle and wrists
  • Dislocated joints
  • Broken bones
  • Concussion and other head injuries
  • Pulled muscles
  • Torn tendons or ligaments
  • Back injuries or spinal cord damage
  • Pelvic injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Cuts and bruises

 

Permanent damage can result from severe injuries, especially in an accident involving heights. If someone falls down the stairs, they could become paralyzed or suffer a traumatic brain injury, which can lead to impaired function.

The recovery process can be long and painful. Slip and falls often cause loss of mobility and keep people out of work for significant periods. Any losses you suffered should be the property owner’s financial responsibility if your actions didn’t contribute to the accident.

Compensation for Slip and Fall Accident Injuries

You can file an insurance claim for the losses you suffered in a slip and fall. These losses might include:

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

 

The compensation you receive will depend on different factors, including the severity of your injury and the coverage listed on the at-fault party’s policy. If you were injured at someone’s home, you could file your claim with their homeowner’s insurance carrier. For injuries on commercial property, you could file a claim with the owner’s liability insurance company.

Many accident victims can resolve their cases with an insurance claim. However, if the insurance company denies the claim or offers an inadequate settlement, you could file a lawsuit. You must follow a two-year statute of limitations if you want to sue the at-fault party. That means you have two years from the date of your injury to file your lawsuit. Once the deadline passes, you can’t hold the owner liable.

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

It’s crucial that you take immediate action following a slip and fall accident. Your work begins at the scene. First, you should report the incident to a manager. Make sure you put everything in writing so there’s documentation of what happened.

Take pictures of evidence that can show the cause of your injuries, such as a broken step, damaged handrail, or wet floor. If your clothing was torn during the fall or personal property, such as a cell phone, became damaged, hold onto them.

Once you leave the accident scene, go to the hospital. A doctor should evaluate your injury and might recommend a treatment plan. Follow their orders and continue attending your appointments until you recover.

You should also hire a Stockton slip and fall accident lawyer. OnderLaw can handle every step of your case while you focus on your treatment.

OnderLaw Will Help You in the Fight for Justice

OnderLaw will fight by your side for the justice and compensation you deserve. We have a proven track record of success in handling slip and fall accident cases. We will tirelessly work to try to reach your desired result. You should receive the money you’re owed to cover your losses so you can heal and move forward with your life.

If you were injured on another person’s property, call OnderLaw to learn about your legal options. One of our Stockton slip and fall accident lawyers will be happy to discuss the incident and determine if we can help you hold the negligent property owner liable.