California Restaurant Slip And Fall Lawyers
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Our California Restaurant Slip And Fall Lawyers Offer Legal Help That Respects Your Experience
Slip-and-falls happen in restaurants all the time. Sadly, not many people know their rights if they are injured in an accident. If you or a loved one sustains injuries after a slip, trip, or fall at a restaurant, you may have the right to explore a legal claim. Contact our California restaurant slip-and-fall lawyers at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation. We’ll review your case and let you know if we can help or not.
Imagine meeting your friends for lunch at your favorite restaurant. You’re excited to catch up with the group. But as you enter the restaurant, you slip on spilled food. The accident causes injuries. You can’t work, and your medical bills are piling up. What do you do?
Spilled food and drinks are common to see, especially in busy restaurants. If not immediately cleaned up, these can lead to slip-and-fall accidents that may result in life-altering consequences. People shouldn’t have to suffer because of someone else’s carelessness. In California, restaurant owners have a responsibility to keep their establishments safe and inform customers about potential dangers. If you slip and fall due to a dangerous condition that the owner neglected to fix or warn about, you can hold the owner legally responsible for your injuries.
Our attorneys for slip-and-fall accidents in restaurants have years of experience and can review your situation and explain the compensation that may be available under California law. You can discuss your case with us through a free initial consultation. Just call us at (888) 488-1391.
How Can Restaurant Slip And Fall Lawyers In California Help
Our lawyers can assess your case and determine the appropriate approach. We’ll investigate the accident, which may involve going to the accident scene and gathering enough evidence that can further solidify your claim. We’ll also reach out to witnesses to further establish the restaurant’s negligence and your resulting damages.
But we won’t stop there. We’ll work closely with medical professionals to assess the full scope of your injuries, including any long-term effects and potential future medical costs. By reviewing these factors, we can help you understand what compensation may be available to you under the law.
In a restaurant, even a simple mistake, like neglecting to use a wet floor sign, can lead to serious consequences for a customer. Owners are responsible for maintaining safe conditions in their properties. Failing to do so can make them accountable for the resulting consequences. If you or a loved one slipped and fell at a bar, restaurant, or fast food establishment in California, call us for a free initial consultation to discuss your legal options.
Why Choose Our California Restaurant Slip And Fall Lawyers
Our skilled restaurant slip and fall attorneys in California handle a range of injury cases and can guide you through the legal process if you wish to pursue a claim. Choosing our lawyers means having a dedicated team to handle your case and help you pursue compensation that may be available under California law.
A slip and fall in a restaurant can leave you with more than just physical pain. Medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress may quickly add to your burden. We understand the challenges you’re facing, and we’re committed to providing you with the legal support you need for your case.
How Does Premises Liability Apply To Restaurants?
Premises liability is the area of law you will encounter if you seek damages after a trip-and-fall in a restaurant. Restaurant owners are responsible for maintaining their properties so that they are safe for individuals who dine and drink there. If they neglect to keep their premises safe and cause harm to a person, they could face legal repercussions.
Liability for a slip-and-fall depends on the surrounding facts of the accident. The law places potential premises liability victims in one of three categories: invitees, licensees, and trespassers.
Invitees
A person who enters another’s property for business purposes is considered an invitee. For example, delivery drivers like Uber Eats and Amazon employees might be considered invitees. Restaurant customers are typically considered invitees as well.
Under the law, property owners have the highest duty of care to invitees. In this case, restaurant owners must take the utmost care to ensure that customers have a safe dining experience.
Licensees
A licensee is a person who is on another’s property for a non-economic purpose. Licensees are considered social guests. People you invite to a housewarming party, for example, are considered licensees. Property owners must protect licensees from potential dangers, but licensees enjoy fewer protections than invitees.
Trespassers
Trespassers have the least legal protection. A trespasser is someone who does not have permission or privileges to enter another person’s property. A property owner does not have any legal obligation to protect trespassers. Regardless, if a property owner knows about a trespasser, they cannot purposely set traps that would hurt the trespasser.
$750,000.00
Settlement in a premises liability case involving a fall due to a defectively placed aquarium within a classroom; the client suffered laceration injuries– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Commercial Property Owner Negligence
Those who own commercial properties like restaurants, stores, and other places of business might find themselves involved in a lawsuit if they do not carefully maintain their property. A commercial property owner might face liability for negligence if they do the following:
- Caused a spill
- Knows about a dangerous condition or spill but does nothing to fix the problem
- Put a hazard or object in the way of customers
- Contribute to danger or risk
- Being unaware of a hazardous condition that the property owner should have been aware of
In particular, restaurant owners must take reasonable steps to avoid causing harm to their customers. They can also be held liable for injuries caused by negligent employees. If you or a loved one were injured due to unsafe restaurant conditions, you can speak to an attorney to learn more about your legal rights.
How To Establish Negligence For A Slip And Fall In A Restaurant
In order to establish liability for a slip and fall accident at a restaurant, you need to demonstrate their negligence by proving the following:
- Duty of Care — The restaurant has a legal responsibility to keep you safe. This duty depends on why you were there (customer, visitor with permission, or trespasser).
- Breach of Duty — The restaurant failed to uphold this responsibility by not taking reasonable steps to prevent your fall.
- Damages — You suffered injuries or losses because of the restaurant’s negligence.
In some cases, the restaurant you visit may lease the space from the property owner. This means both the restaurant operator and the property owner could be responsible for your slip and fall injury, depending on the specific circumstances.
Determining liability can be complex. Our California slip-and-fall lawyers can assess your case and explain which parties may be legally responsible.
Common Causes Of Restaurant Slip And Fall Accidents
Restaurants see a lot of daily foot traffic, and the number of accidents makes sense given the volume of customers and the hustle and bustle. From spilled ice, water, and food to an occasional rogue napkin, an accident can catch unsuspecting guests at any moment.
Restaurant owners are responsible for preventing accidents. Here are some common examples of how slip and fall accidents happen in restaurants.
Wet Floors
Regular cleaning is essential to maintain a sanitary environment, but it can also create hazards. To ensure customer safety, employees must be diligent about placing wet floor signs in any area where there’s a risk of slipping. Wet floors can happen anywhere, and they’re among the most common causes of restaurant accidents. Customers should be especially careful when walking past storage rooms and bathrooms.
Spilled Food And Drink
Spilled foods and drinks in restaurants can easily cause a slip-and-fall accident. Particular areas are more susceptible to falls than others, like:
- Tray collection areas
- At the soda fountain
- In the bathroom
- At the bar
Accidents caused by food and drink happen for a lot of reasons, including overturned trays, stray pieces of food that might rest under customers’ feet, and even waiters who drop food on the way to tables.
Tripping over spilled foods and drinks is particularly dangerous for children, the elderly, and people with physical disabilities. A simple slip can lead to lasting consequences. Call our restaurant slip and fall lawyers in California to learn about your possible legal options after such an incident.
Exposed Wires
Exposed wires are a potential threat to customers. Depending on the age and layout of the building, wires might run under tables or walkways and become a trip hazard for customers. Restaurant owners must properly cover exposed wires to prevent customer injuries.
Tables And Chairs
In restaurants with no fixed seating, the way their tables and chairs are arranged or positioned can result in avoidable accidents. In some cases, these hazards may be caused by customers moving things around. Regardless of the cause, restaurant owners and their staff have a responsibility to make sure that their tables and chairs do not pose an unreasonable risk of harm.
Other Customers
Anytime you are in public, you take a risk. Other people’s actions can affect you even if you do everything to avoid harm. There are many potential hazards involving other customers. Restaurants have a lot of moving people who could trip over food, another customer’s foot, or their jackets or sweaters. A clumsy customer could run into a waiter or other customers on their way to the bathroom or as they leave.
Poorly Maintained Parking Lots
The responsibility to protect customers does not begin and end at the restaurant’s doors. The establishment’s owner must maintain a safe parking lot, as accidents happen frequently in poorly maintained ones. Cracked concrete and potholes can cause bodily injury and damage to customers’ vehicles. The property owner must fix issues as quickly as possible. Failure to do that can expose the owner to a civil lawsuit due to damages.
Restaurant owners failing to keep their parking lots safe may constitute a breach of duty to keep their patrons safe. If you suffered injuries after slipping and falling in a restaurant parking lot or due to any of the discussed safety hazards, restaurant slip and fall attorneys in California may be able to help. They can advise you on your legal rights and potential options in pursuing compensation.
Common Injuries In Slip And Fall Accidents
Every slip-and-fall accident has a unique set of circumstances contributing to the type and severity of injuries that unsuspecting guests can suffer. Victims might suffer from various injuries that can affect the value of their claims. Some of the most common types of restaurant accident slip and fall injuries our lawyers in California see include the following:
- Paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Closed head injuries
- Nerve damage
- Broken arms
- Broken legs
- Sprained ankles
- Torn muscles
- Knee damage
- Disc problems
- Broken hips
- Concussions
- Broken fingers
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken tailbone
- Neck injuries
Any of the above injuries can lead to serious complications and financial setbacks. You might find yourself with medical bills piling up and no way to pay them as your injuries keep you from going back to work. If your injuries also prevent you from filing a claim on your own, our California restaurant slip and fall attorneys can do the legwork of pursuing potential compensation for your injuries and losses. Call us for a free case evaluation or fill out our “Do I Have a Case?” form.
What Is My Case Worth?
Most accident victims want an estimate of what their case is worth. While there is no way to guarantee a specific dollar amount, there are some telltale signs that can help you understand the preliminary value of your case.
Typically, the more serious the injury, the higher its financial value. For example, if a person fell but only suffered minor injuries that do not require extensive treatment, the case’s financial value might be low. On the other hand, if the injuries require surgery to treat, the victim might be looking at a higher settlement value. It is important to remember that the settlement amount depends on the actual damages the victim suffered.
To get a full picture of the potential settlement value of your case, contact an attorney and discuss the details. Our experienced California restaurant slip and fall lawyers will help you understand what damages may be available and what you could potentially pursue based on your specific circumstances.
The value of your case is based on the surrounding facts. Some specific details that affect the value of your case can include:
- The extent of the treatment you need to recover
- How severe your injuries are
- The type of injuries that you suffered because of the fall
The types of damages available depend on the facts of the case. Some accident victims may expect to recover losses like:
- Medical expenses
- The cost of medical care
- The cost of rehabilitation or physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Mental and emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
What Should I Do After A Slip And Fall Restaurant Accident?
The steps you take after a slip and fall accident are critical to your physical and financial recovery. It is advisable to act quickly to protect your legal rights after a fall. Consider the following if you were injured in a slip and fall accident in a restaurant to protect your rights to pursue compensation.
Get Medical Attention Immediately
After any accident where you suffered injuries, you should seek immediate medical attention. Your health and well-being are the most important things. You might be tempted to skip medical care because your injuries do not appear to be serious or life-threatening. However, skipping medical care can be a mistake. Some injuries are serious, but they do not manifest themselves until days or weeks after the accident. Getting medical attention is the only way to help prevent further complications.
As important as getting immediate medical attention is, it is just as vital for accident victims to complete their treatment plans. Some insurance companies may use incomplete treatment plans as “proof” that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
Document The Details
You may need as much evidence as possible when you pursue financial compensation after a slip and fall accident in a restaurant. Therefore, if you’re able, it is advisable to document the facts about the accident and the aftermath of the fall. Consider doing the following:
- Write Everything Down — After a traumatic injury-causing accident, you may be running high on emotions, which can mess with your memory. Try to write down your feelings and struggles as they come. Keeping a journal after an accident is a good way to organize your thoughts. Share your journal with your attorney. You might be able to pursue non-economic damages, and having a record of the emotional impact of the accident can be helpful.
- Take Pictures and Videos — Again, you will need a lot of evidence to prove the restaurant is liable for causing the accident. Visual representations of the accident scene and your injuries will paint a picture for the insurance company, the judge, and the jury. If possible, take pictures and videos to present as proof of the accident and your resulting losses.
Speak To Witnesses
Especially in a busy restaurant, there will be a lot of witnesses to your accident. You should try to speak to as many potential witnesses as possible if your physical condition allows you to do so. In many cases, people who have seen an accident are willing to provide their information to help victims. Share your list of witnesses with your attorney. Your legal team can use this information as part of their accident investigation.
Report The Accident
Make sure to report the accident to a manager or the restaurant owner. Simply telling someone on the restaurant’s wait staff may not be enough. After finding a manager or owner, you will complete an accident report form.
On the form, make sure that you do not offer more information than necessary. Be careful about the information you provide on the form. It is often best to consult with a lawyer before discussing who was at fault or the specifics of your injuries. Some parties may use anything to avoid making a settlement payment. Lastly, ask for a copy to keep for your records.
Contact An Attorney
Call our California slip and fall attorneys as soon as possible. We can help you understand your legal options for pursuing compensation based on your specific situation.
How Long Do I Have To File A California Slip And Fall Accident Lawsuit?
Accident victims do not have an unlimited amount of time to file a lawsuit. Every slip and fall accident victim must comply with California’s statute of limitations, a deadline set by law that limits the amount of time that an injury victim has to file a lawsuit to pursue damages.
In California, accident victims have two years from the date the accident happened to file a lawsuit. It is important to file within this time, or you may lose your ability to sue.
There are, however, some exceptions that may extend the amount of time you have to sue. For example, the statute of limitations can be paused if the victim was a minor when the accident happened. If the slip-and-fall victim was under 18, the two-year window to file a lawsuit doesn’t start running until their 18th birthday. They then have two years from that date to file.
How Can California Personal Injury Attorneys Help Me?
Personal injury lawyers can assess your case after suffering an injury in a slip and fall accident. Protecting your rights after an accident can be challenging, and you may need someone with legal experience to help you accomplish your goal of recovering financially.
Our attorneys can help you in the following ways:
Negotiating For A Settlement
Negotiating with insurance companies is not easy. Insurance adjusters want to protect company profits, and they may do that at your expense by trying to deny paying out your claim. Unrepresented accident victims do not usually fare well when negotiating alone. However, with an attorney, you have an advocate who may help you get fair treatment during the claims process.
Investigating The Accident
An attorney can help you investigate your case. An experienced legal team may be able to use its resources to help its clients gather evidence. For example, your lawyer and their team might want to visit the accident scene, read your medical records, watch videos, and talk to experts to help you build your case.
Preparing Your Case For Trial
Most civil accident cases are resolved during the negotiation phase; however, some cases proceed to trial. Getting to the trial phase of your case can come with stress and anxiety.
If a lawsuit is a viable option for your case, your attorney can represent you in the courtroom. Before you make it to the first day of the trial, you and your attorney will work together to prepare your case, aiming to pursue a favorable result.
Is Filing A Lawsuit Right For Me?
The thought of filing a lawsuit can seem daunting. However, the facts of your case may determine if suing is an appropriate move. If you’re hurt in a restaurant slip-and-fall, talk to a qualified lawyer so you can understand the legal options that may be available to you based on your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Slip-And-Fall Accident Claims Take In California?
Slip-and-fall claims in California can vary significantly in resolution time, ranging from a few months to several years. The main factors influencing this timeframe include:
- Injury Severity — More severe injuries requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation will likely lead to longer claim durations.
- Liability Complexity — Determining fault can be straightforward in some cases, but claims with unclear liability or multiple parties involved may take longer to settle.
- Settlement Negotiations — Negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company can be lengthy, especially if there’s disagreement about fault or compensation amounts.
If you’re considering a restaurant slip-and-fall claim in California, consulting with one of Arash Law’s personal injury lawyers can help you understand the specific factors affecting your case and its potential timeline.
What Is The Average Compensation For Slip-and-Fall Accidents In California?
There isn’t a standard compensation amount for restaurant slip-and-fall accidents in California. Settlements vary depending on the specifics of the case, especially the severity of injuries. In some cases, with strong evidence, compensation can be higher.
How Much Do Slip-And-Fall Attorneys Charge In California?
Most lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you only pay legal fees if they recover compensation. At Arash Law, we will explain this fee structure and other possible case costs during the initial consultation.
Call Our California Restaurant Slip And Fall Attorneys
After getting injured in a restaurant slip and fall accident, you may need the advocacy of an injury law firm with experience in such cases. Our California restaurant slip and fall attorneys have the knowledge and skills to support you with your case. Schedule a free initial consultation by calling 888-488-1391 to discuss your case and learn more about your legal options.
In addition to handling restaurant slip-and-fall accidents, our firm provides legal support for other injury-causing accidents. Our team includes experienced car accident lawyers who handle traffic accident cases, such as truck accidents and crashes involving Uber or Lyft, among others.
Our lawyers at Arash Law can represent clients throughout California, including those in Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, Visalia, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Oakland, and more. Our team is ready to answer your questions. We look forward to hearing from you!
