San Francisco Slip And Fall Accident Lawyers
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Standing Up For San Francisco Slip And Fall Victims Every Step
Despite their seemingly insignificant occurrences, slip-and-fall accidents can have detrimental effects. Anyone can get hurt in these incidents at any time and in any place, with injuries ranging from minor bruising to permanent disabilities. If you’ve slipped and fallen because of someone else’s negligence, call the San Francisco slip-and-fall accident lawyers from Arash Law at (888) 488-1391. We offer free initial consultations to discuss how we can assist you in pursuing compensation.
Over the years, San Francisco has witnessed rapid development. It’s further renowned for its breathtaking views, dynamic culture, and flourishing tech industry. It embodies a blend of modernity and heritage. Exemplifying this are the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge and the ancient Alcatraz Island.
Besides being a city and a county, this place is also a financial, economic, and cultural hub for Northern California. Today, the Golden City maintains its image as a thriving community that welcomes millions of tourists every year.
However, as San Francisco continues to grow and evolve, so do the risks of accidents, including slip-and-fall accidents, that can harm locals and tourists alike. These can happen anywhere from crowded sidewalks to construction zones and even on someone else’s fenced property.
If you are a victim of this accident, contact our slip-and-fall accident lawyers in San Francisco so we can guide you in filing your claims for damages. Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation and discuss your legal options with an attorney.
April 2019: $14M settlement in a traumatic brain injury case involving a defective piece of equipment at a factory.– BRIAN BEECHER
Why Consider Our San Francisco Slip-And-Fall Accident Lawyers To Represent Your Case
Remember that selecting the most suitable law firm to handle your slip-and-fall accident case can impact the outcome. Not only that, but experience can also be a valuable asset. While we’d rather not presume to be the best, our slip-and-fall accident attorneys have represented clients in various injury cases in California. Our skilled negotiators and attorneys work diligently to help you seek compensation for your losses.
If you get injured, our slip-and-fall accident lawyers in San Francisco can handle the legal process, allowing you to focus on your recovery. When hurt in a trip-and-fall accident, it is advisable to hire a legal team to look out for your rights. Our legal team is dedicated to advocating for your rights and pursuing the compensation available under California law. Our payment structure is also on a contingency basis, so you won’t have to pay attorney’s fees unless we win your case. However, certain case costs may be charged separately regardless of the outcome. Our attorneys explain this fee structure and other potential costs clearly before you decide to proceed with us.
Experienced San Francisco Slip And Fall Accident Attorneys Ready To Assist You
If you or a loved one gets injured in a slip-and-fall accident, it is advisable to seek legal help. Our San Francisco slip-and-fall accident attorneys can help you navigate the challenges of filing a claim and negotiating with negligent parties and insurance companies. In particular, we:
Give Legal Guidance
As your case progresses, our trip and fall accident lawyers can answer and address your questions and concerns. Having our law firm on your side can help you avoid the never-ending internet search maze. Our skilled legal professionals provide guidance to help you navigate your case and address any legal challenges that may arise.
Establish Negligence
Establishing grounds for seeking compensation typically involves demonstrating that the other party was negligent in their actions. This process requires well-documented evidence. Gathering them through a comprehensive investigation can be a challenging process, especially when you’re still healing from your injuries. Our skilled team can thoroughly examine your case and gather all necessary proof to show negligence.
Compute Damages
After a slip-and-fall accident, you can seek compensation for the harm you suffered. However, establishing that you suffered losses must come first, considering these are integral components of every negligence claim. It means you cannot establish grounds to seek damages if you aren’t able to demonstrate them. Nonetheless, our slip and fall accident attorneys in San Francisco can identify and estimate all your losses and damages.
Negotiate On Your Behalf
Negligent parties may challenge the extent of their responsibility and refuse to extend a settlement that satisfies your demands. Our San Francisco slip-and-fall attorneys can negotiate with insurers on your behalf to help address your losses.
Represent You In Court
Your case may escalate to court if the parties can’t settle. Unfortunately, many unrepresented victims may lose a strong case after making a weak argument. It is advisable to consult our personal injury attorneys who are adept at argument structuring, trial presentation, and case establishment. We can also guide you through compliance with all the requirements set by the court.
What Are Slip-and-Fall Accidents?
As the name suggests, slip-and-fall accidents are incidents where an individual slips or trips over an object and falls. Typically, this event leads to painful injuries, which should not be overlooked.
People often overlook slip-and-fall incidents, but the truth is that they are surprisingly common. You might recall when you slipped out of your clumsiness in public areas like stores or restaurants and were left embarrassed. However, if another person’s recklessness caused your accident and injury, you may seek legal assistance from our San Francisco slip-and-fall lawyers. Depending on your circumstances, you may have a basis for a personal injury claim.
Understanding Negligence In San Francisco Slip-And-Fall Accidents
Our San Francisco law firm can help you understand the nature of filing for damages for slip-and-fall accidents. Like any other negligence claim, these are settled by examining the sworn facts and the presented evidence. Specifically, you must establish four elements of negligence in your case:
- Duty of Care — A property owner must take reasonable precautions to secure their visitors and patrons from harm. This means they must take reasonable steps to prevent hazards that could cause harm, such as cleaning up spills, repairing damaged flooring, or providing adequate warnings about potential dangers.
- Breach — When a property owner does not behave appropriately, they violate their obligation to keep their customers and visitors safe.
- Causation — After confirming the breach of duty, it’s important to link your injuries to the accident. This is where solid proof is required, especially a medical report. Insurers may dispute that your injury did not happen because of the incident.
- Damages — To pursue a claim or lawsuit, you must demonstrate that you incurred losses and injuries, thus warranting damages. Our San Francisco lawyers handling slip-and-fall accidents will establish the extent of your injuries. They will advocate for your rights throughout the claims process.
Assessing whether the slip-and-fall injuries are the result of negligence is crucial. It emphasizes the fact that not all incidents result in legal action. For instance, a restaurant owner is not negligent if you trip and fall while there has already been a warning sign about a wet floor. However, it would have been considered blatant negligence if there had been no notice or if it had been difficult to see.
Who Is Liable For Slip-and-Fall Injuries?
When slip-and-fall accidents occur, multiple parties may be held accountable. Anyone seeking damages must be aware that premises liability law governs claims for slip-and-fall injuries. The legal responsibility here underscores the concept of negligence and holds both private individuals and commercial entities liable. Any party deemed imprudent may be pointed out in various ways, such as if they violated the building codes, failed to check their property, or disregarded identified shortcomings.
Establishing liability is a crucial initial step. For this concern, please speak with our San Francisco lawyers so that we can thoroughly investigate your case and identify those who may be responsible for your injuries.
What If A Slip-and-Fall Accident Happens On Private Property?
Private property owners may also be held liable for accidents that occur within their premises. We understand many individuals are hesitant to file lawsuits, especially if the owners are their friends and family. However, it’s important for their insurance companies to address your claim appropriately so you can access the resources needed for your recovery.
The California Civil Code, Section 1714, states that owners have a reasonable duty of care to keep their customers and visitors safe while they are on their property. This obligation extends to those who lease, own, inhabit, or have access to the real estate.
A parent business may occasionally be held accountable for losses as well. In such a catastrophe, the majority of negligent parties have insurance. Our San Francisco lawyers will analyze the details of your case and identify who may be responsible for your slip-and-fall accident.
Seek Accountability
Bearing the pain of a slip-and-fall accident is not easy. This can have far-reaching effects. Victims may suffer from mental distress, financial difficulties, and long-term disability, in addition to physical injuries. With the increasing costs of medical care, rehabilitation, and lost wages, families may face financial challenges after an accident. Seeking accountability can help address these impacts.
Although slips and falls can occur accidentally, other factors also cause them. If you are strolling in an unmaintained area, a careless party may have contributed to your fall, and it might have been avoided if they were responsible enough. If you suspect that someone is at fault for your accident, you might have grounds to seek compensation for your losses.
Call our slip-and-fall accident lawyers in San Francisco for a free initial consultation. You can use our contact form to reach us.
What Are The Common Causes Of Slip-And-Fall Accidents?
The general public is unintentionally exposed to the danger of traumatic injury or even death. This is when private properties and public areas have not been regularly maintained, well-built, or inspected for hazards.
The following are some usual reasons why slips and falls occur:
- Dangerous walkways
- Broken, cracked, or uneven surfaces on walkways
- Protruding objects in walkways
- Broken or uneven stairways
- Missing stairway railings
- Recently mopped, washed, or waxed floors
- Wet floors
- Torn, damaged, or ripped carpeting or rugs
- Loose or broken flooring or tiles
- Potholes
- Spills or liquid pooling from leaks
- Poor lighting or no lighting at all
If any of these causes your accident and injury, you can check with our San Francisco lawyers if you have a valid slip-and-fall accident case. Fill out our “Do I Have A Case?” form to contact us.
What Are The Most Common Slip-And-Fall Injuries?
Strange to some, lurking behind slip-and-fall accidents are potential risks and consequences. In some cases, these incidents may even result in fatalities or painful injuries. Here are the common injuries sustained during this incident:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
In the worst cases, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) result from sliding and falling. This happens when a person falls and is unable to protect their head. It could hit the floor or another hard surface, which could damage the skull.
This also happens if the brain is jarred or punctured by a sharp object upon falling, causing it to enlarge or bleed inside your head. Anticipate major consequences from such injuries, including cognitive impairments and permanent disabilities. It can also affect your finances and emotional well-being. Our slip-and-fall accident lawyers in San Francisco can help you pursue compensation.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Any damage to the discs, vertebrae, or ligaments that comprise your spinal cord is known as a spinal cord injury. If you suffer from this, it is critical to get immediate medical help so that it won’t worsen.
As your body’s command center, the spinal cord functions in tandem with your brain. As such, a severe lesion to the spinal cord can result in partial or total paralysis. Financial, emotional, and physical problems also follow.
Broken Or Dislocated Bones
A fractured or broken bone is a painful injury that takes a long time to heal. Fingers or bones on the arm typically break during slips and falls, especially when you try to protect yourself.
For some, bones may not always mend correctly. When your healing goes wrong, it may cause chronic discomfort or result in a lifelong handicap. Broken bones may also result in expensive medical costs and compel you to miss work. Because of these, any fractured bone must never be taken lightly.
Cuts And Abrasions
Slip and fall accidents can result in cuts and abrasions. Thus, it is important to obtain the right medical attention to prevent potentially harmful infections. Moreover, these may need sutures to heal correctly. Untreated cuts and abrasions can cause deformed scarring.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains or tears in ligaments, often show no symptoms during the actual slip-and-fall accident. They typically show up after a few hours or a day of the incident. However, if such injuries are not addressed, they may result in persistent pain. Our San Francisco attorneys for slip-and-fall accidents recommend that victims seek medical assistance right away to get evaluated properly.
Settlement in a slip and fall case versus Jiffy Lube; client suffered spinal injuries– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Where Do Slip-And-Fall Accidents Commonly Happen?
Although slip-and-fall incidents can happen almost anywhere, cases of this kind are frequently reported in these three locations:
- Commercial Property — A property or business owner, the management, or an employee may be liable for a slip-and-fall accident if one of the following circumstances is identified:
- They set up the dangerous situation that led to your slip, fall, and injuries.
- They ignored the hazard in the vicinity despite being aware of it.
- They opted to disregard the danger, although a reasonable person could have acted upon it on their behalf.
- Residential Property — The landlord or property owner would likely be accountable for a slip-and-fall event that results in injuries if the following is applicable:
- They should have been aware of the potential hazard.
- They had the opportunity to fix or address the dangerous situation.
- They were sure an accident would ensue if an unsafe situation remained unresolved.
- Their careless handling of the dangerous scenario caused your injuries.
- Government Property — Slip-and-fall accidents on government property are separate cases following specific guidelines. Contact our San Francisco slip-and-fall accident lawyers if you get hurt within a government-owned area.
Aside from these categories, the following are common sites of slip-and-fall incidents:
- Grocery stores and markets
- Gas stations
- Convenience stores
- City and town roadways and sidewalks
- Tourist attractions
- Commercial office buildings
- Retail stores
- Apartment buildings
- Hotels
- Parking garages
- Public parks and playgrounds
- Restaurants
- Gyms
- Movie theaters
- Amusement parks
Pursuing Compensation After A Slip-And-Fall Accident In San Francisco
If you can demonstrate that the property owner was negligent and directly caused your injuries, you may be able to pursue various forms of settlement. As per California law, these are some damages you can pursue after getting harmed in a slip-and-fall accident in San Francisco:
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory or monetary damages are intended to cover the fees of any future medical bills, therapies, or other expenses incurred from an accident caused by the carelessness of another individual. Accordingly, there are two classifications for this:
Economic Damages
These refer to physical and actual damages, such as the costs associated with the accident. They are intended to compensate for the expenses associated with your medical care, repairs, and recovery. These may also include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Disability accommodations
- Live-in care or nursing home care
- Domestic services
- Medical equipment
- Prescriptions
- Rehabilitation and therapies
- Lost earnings
- Damaged or destroyed property
- Transportation and travel costs
Non-Economic Damages
These types of damages are challenging to quantify, as they cover intangible and subjective damages. Examples are:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Psychological trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Anxiety or depression
- Lost quality of life
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Grief and loss of consortium
- Inconvenience
- Humiliation
- Loss of opportunities
Punitive Damages
These damages serve as a penalty for the malicious behavior of the negligent party so that they and others may be discouraged from doing the same. Claiming this entails establishing that the liable party was willful or extremely negligent in his actions. You can try to get your slip-and-fall accident attorneys to justify these damages in a San Francisco court. However, it is still extremely rare to be awarded.
Important Steps To Take After A Slip-And-Fall Accident
Following a slip-and-fall accident, an injured person must be aware of these crucial steps to support the protection of their rights while a settlement has not yet started:
- Getting medical care is what matters most. Call 911 and ask for paramedics to respond to the site. If necessary, continue receiving immediate medical attention at a hospital or other healthcare institution. Be sure to describe all your injuries.
- Report to the authorities. Usually, 911 dispatchers will also send San Francisco police to the location. Cooperate with them and describe what happened in as much detail as possible. It is advisable to refrain from admissions of fault or guilt.
- Inform the property owner of the accident as soon as possible. Letting the concerned party know about the event may be essential to your claim. Moreover, do not forget to retain a copy of your incident report.
- Get time-stamped pictures or videos of the site of the accident before anyone touches any proof that caused your injuries. Note that our San Francisco lawyers for slip-and-fall accident cases will start collecting the required evidence as soon as you hire them.
- Reach out to our knowledgeable San Francisco slip-and-fall accident attorneys. Our law firm will thoroughly investigate the events leading up to your injuries and take action to support your claim, safeguard your legal rights, and arrange your case accordingly. You may want to refrain from discussing your accident with anyone apart from your lawyer. We can talk to insurance companies on your behalf.
Statute Of Limitations For Slip-And-Fall Claims
Based on California law, individuals in San Francisco who get hurt in slip-and-fall accidents have two years from the date of the injury to initiate a lawsuit. Missing this deadline generally means you can no longer pursue compensation.
Minor victims can wait until they are 18 to start the claim. As soon as they reach legal age, the statute of limitations will start running. Their parent or legal guardian may act on their behalf earlier. While such exceptions exist, it’s critical to observe the timeframe and have your claim settled or concluded within the applicable limit.
In filing a claim against a government agency, the law gives you six months to draft and submit a formal notice of claim. If they reject your claim, you will have six months from the date of rejection to bring your claim to trial. By then, it is essential to get assistance from our San Francisco slip-and-fall accident lawyers to guide you through the legal process and assist with meeting court deadlines.
What Other Factors May Limit My Compensation?
When you are partly at fault for the slip-and-fall accident, the California law on comparative negligence can be invoked. Here, you may share some blame for the damage you have sustained. However, even if you had some involvement in the accident, you may still seek compensation from a negligent party. It’s important to note that your settlement may be reduced by the amount of fault you bear.
Statistics Of Slip-And-Fall Accidents
Contrary to popular belief, slip-and-fall accidents occur more frequently than you imagine. These incidents can happen anytime and anywhere, from public places to workplaces.
Based on a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), slip-and-fall accidents are prevalent, with 161,374 reported injuries and 34,573 associated deaths in the country each year.
As a result of these incidents, victims go through traumatic pain that can change their lives. Some of these injuries are even deadly. This is why our San Francisco slip-and-fall accident lawyers remain compassionate for the victims of this incident.
Consult Our Slip And Fall Accident Lawyers In San Francisco Today
If you suffer from slip-and-fall injuries, do not be afraid to seek accountability from any party for their negligence. Contact our San Francisco slip-and-fall accident lawyers to take charge of your case on your behalf and guide you through the process.
We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay attorney’s fees unless we win your case. While our lawyer’s payment is based on the success of your case, certain court costs may be the client’s responsibility regardless of the outcome. We discuss our fee structure and other potential costs clearly before you decide to proceed. Call us at (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form for a free initial consultation.
For a long time, our personal injury and car accident lawyers have also provided services to Oakland, Alameda, Pacifica, El Granada, Redwood City, Hillsborough, Fremont, Berkeley, Lafayette, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Newark, Brentwood, Antioch, and Concord.
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