Santa Clara Slip And Fall Accident Lawyers
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Our Santa Clara Slip And Fall Accident Lawyers Help You Understand Your Legal Options
Slipping incidents may sound minor, but they may result in life-altering consequences. If you trip and get injured on someone else’s property, contact our Santa Clara slip and fall accident lawyers at (888) 488-1391. During a free initial consultation, we will discuss your case and outline your legal options for pursuing compensation.
Santa Clara is a thriving county located in Silicon Valley. Its fascinating history includes its evolution from an agricultural region to a global center for innovation and technology. The county currently welcomes a large number of workers looking for employment opportunities in the tech industry and tourists with its various attractions.
It has 28 parks where friends and families can take a break and unwind. People can also enjoy shopping sprees in various malls and boutiques, like the Westfield Valley Fair, Santa Clara Square, and more. However, running errands and exploring the area can make you vulnerable to slip and fall accidents, especially with the recklessness of property owners.
Consult our Santa Clara slip and fall accident attorneys if you sustain injuries as a result of the negligence of landlords, business owners, and property managers. We will carefully review the details of the accident and assist you in filing a claim.
Our personal injury lawyers in Santa Clara work on a contingency fee basis so that you can receive legal guidance without upfront costs. You don’t have to pay us attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. While our lawyers’ fees are contingent on your compensation, certain case expenses may still be your responsibility, regardless of the outcome. Our attorneys will discuss our fee structure and other potential costs during your free initial consultation.
Settlement in a slip and fall case versus apartment complex; client suffered spinal and shoulder injuries– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Why Hire Our Santa Clara Slip And Fall Accident Lawyers For Your Claim
Our Santa Clara slip and fall accident lawyers can help you understand your rights and options for seeking fair compensation. We have years of experience advocating for the rights of injured victims while handling personal injury cases on their behalf. Even when dealing with corporations like Walmart, our law firm works diligently to help victims seek compensation through the legal process.
Here are some of the reasons why you should consider hiring our Santa Clara lawyers to handle your slip and fall accident case:
- Dedicated Legal Service — Our law firm has decades of cumulative experience handling slip and fall accidents. We possess the knowledge and experience to guide you through the legal procedures. We also understand the difficulties you may face after an accident, like physical pain, emotional distress, and financial burdens. That’s why our slip and fall accident attorneys are here to advocate for your interests and offer legal solutions to your concerns.
- Thorough Investigation — Our team will lead a thorough examination to establish the potential liability of negligent property owners. We will collect evidence, like witness statements, photos, and videos of the incident.
- Skilled Negotiation — Our Santa Clara slip and fall accident lawyers can handle negotiations with insurance companies. We keep our discussions centered on seeking fair compensation for your losses. We account for your damages, including your medical expenses, missed earnings, pain, and suffering.
- Experienced Litigation — If you can’t reach a fair settlement through negotiations, our trial attorneys may advise you to take your case to court. We can represent you in litigation proceedings and pursue just compensation.
If an accident impacted your health, emotional state, and financial stability, we can guide you through your options. Contact our Santa Clara slip and fall accident lawyers to discuss your case. We can help you protect your rights and help you move forward with your claim.
What Are Slip And Fall Accidents?
As the name suggests, a slip and fall accident occurs when someone slips or trips, resulting in a fall. These typically occur when property owners fail to maintain safe conditions on their premises. Thus, these cases are governed by the premises liability law.
Aside from physical injuries, victims may also suffer emotional distress and financial losses. They may be able to seek compensation to help them manage these consequences, especially if the accident was due to negligence. In these cases, you might need a slip and fall lawyer.
Victims must seek the guidance of our Santa Clara lawyers after slip and fall accidents. If your injuries resulted from a slip and fall, we can evaluate your case to assess whether you have legal grounds to claim compensation.
Where Do Slip And Fall Accidents Commonly Happen?
Anyone can slip, trip, and fall in these common locations:
- Grocery stores and markets
- Malls and retail stores
- Hotels
- Office buildings
- Apartments
- Tourist attractions
- Water recreation theme parks
- Public parks and playgrounds
- Restaurants
- Movie theaters
- Gyms
- Gas stations
- Roadways and sidewalks
- Parking areas
To help you classify the usual sites of these slip and fall accidents, our Santa Clara attorneys categorize them into three groups:
Commercial Property
Individuals who trip over something in a commercial space and fall as a result can hold property owners, business managers, or employees accountable. To establish liability, we must demonstrate these points:
- The liable parties failed to keep a safe environment, causing the victims to slip, fall, and get hurt.
- These parties knew about the potential hazards within their premises but disregarded them.
- The liable parties didn’t address the dangerous conditions, although someone could have acted upon them.
Residential Property
Victims who trip and fall on a residential property may pin responsibility on property owners and landlords under the following circumstances:
- The liable parties were aware of the present hazards within their premises.
- These at-fault parties could repair and correct the hazardous conditions.
- The liable parties could foresee possible accidents if they couldn’t rectify the dangerous conditions.
- The liable parties didn’t resolve the concern, and this caused harm to the victims.
Government Property
Slip and fall accidents on government property are unique cases that are subject to specific laws. If you get injured in a government-owned establishment, consult our lawyers handling slip and fall accidents in Santa Clara to learn more about the separate legal process.
Common Causes Of Slip And Fall Accidents
People can easily trip and fall, especially in the presence of dangerous conditions. These incidents may happen because of loose or missing handrails or the lack of proper signs. Here are some other common causes of slip and fall accidents:
Wet Floors
Wet or slippery surfaces, such as freshly mopped floors or spills in restaurants, are among the primary reasons for accidents. These hazards can cause victims to lose their balance and fall. Property owners may be held responsible for accidents if they fail to exercise reasonable care in maintaining safe conditions on their floors. They also need to post visible warning signs, depending on the current circumstances and hazards. Failing to keep their premises clean and dry may contribute to slip and fall accidents.
Bad Weather
Adverse weather conditions can lead to accidents, as they have a significant impact on how people move. Although they are out of anyone’s control, it’s still essential to be aware of the risks associated with them.
Santa Clara typically has a sunny and humid climate, with low chances of getting a gentle breeze. However, the county can still experience rain or snow, primarily during the coldest days in December. Property owners, businesses, and homeowners must take reasonable measures to keep their premises safe, such as preventing water from accumulating on their walkways and other areas. If they fail to do so, they may be held liable for any resulting injuries.
Inadequate Lighting
Hallways, stairwells, pathways, and other properties that have insufficient lighting are prone to accidents because people can’t see where they’re walking. If you can’t see well, you are much more likely to trip over things, lose your balance, or miscalculate your steps.
If you slip and fall on someone else’s property due to poor lighting, the owner or manager may be held responsible, especially if they were aware of the issue and failed to rectify it promptly.
Unsafe Stairs
Anyone could slip and fall on stairs because of poorly maintained steps, handles, and other parts. It’s especially true for wooden or paneled staircases that might shift or become uneven over time.
Wooden staircases can also deteriorate due to termites, humidity, water, heat, and sunlight. Moreover, the nails may loosen and stick to the board. Landowners may face potential liability for your injuries if found negligent in maintaining these stairs, and you fall as a result.
Uneven Floors
Uneven surfaces could also cause tripping and falling incidents. These issues may arise because of the faulty construction of floorboards. Additionally, warping and wearing walkways can also create often-overlooked but serious tripping hazards.
It is the responsibility of both commercial and residential property owners to maintain reasonably safe surroundings for occupants, visitors, and guests. When their uneven floors lead to falling, slipping, or tripping accidents, they could be liable for the resulting serious injuries.
Other Risky Conditions
There are many hazardous conditions that can lead to slip-and-fall incidents. Some common examples are:
- Broken and crooked pathways and corridors.
- Poorly positioned signage, displays, shelves, seats, or other impediments in stores or restaurants.
- Obstructions and spilled debris in construction zones.
- Stray and knotted cords and electrical wires.
- Nursing home neglect.
Our Santa Clara slip and fall attorneys will evaluate your case to determine the causes of the accident. We will use these to demonstrate the negligence of the responsible parties, who have legal responsibilities to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition.
Common Injuries In Slip And Fall Accidents
Tripping and falling in any place may result in various types of injuries. Our slip and fall accident attorneys in Santa Clara commonly come across the following:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) — Some victims hit their heads on a hard surface after falling, leading to concussions and other brain injuries. These injuries might not be visible after the accident, so get immediate medical help when you feel symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or confusion.
- Spinal Cord Injuries — Slip and fall accidents can damage the spinal cords severely, especially if victims land on their backs first. These back injuries need extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. If ignored, they can cause partial or complete paralysis.
- Soft Tissue Injuries — Sprains and strains limit the movements of victims and may require some time to heal.
- Fractures — Broken bones or fractures are the usual injuries incurred after tripping over something and falling on a hard surface. These can happen in various body parts, such as the wrist, ankle, or hip.
- Cuts and Bruises — Skin might be cut and wounded, especially if individuals come into contact with sharp objects.
- Wrongful Death — In extreme circumstances, a victim might lose their life. Surviving family members who wish to pursue justice and financial compensation may consult with our wrongful death lawyers.
Regardless of the severity of your injuries, they should be treated by a doctor. Doing so may be helpful if you intend to seek compensation for some or all of your expenses through a legal claim. Should you be injured in a slip and fall accident in Santa Clara, our accident attorneys can help you seek compensation for your losses.
Determining Liability In Slip And Fall Accidents
To establish liability, you have to show that the people who are responsible were negligent. A property owner is usually accountable for the damages and losses sustained by injured victims. In some cases, other parties may also be responsible for the accident. These include the following:
- Company or property managers
- Homeowners
- Other tenants
- Maintenance supervisors
- Landscaping companies
- Elevator maintenance crew
- Government agencies
Identifying the liable parties in a slip and fall accident may be a tough task. Seek help from our Santa Clara lawyers. The involvement of two or more at-fault individuals and companies can make slip and fall cases harder to navigate. Even so, we have the skills to establish the elements of negligence to help you pursue compensation based on the merits of your case.
Damages That Attorneys Can Pursue For Victims After A Slip And Fall Accident
Personal injury cases may entitle victims to certain damages, depending on the details of their case. In general, our Santa Clara slip and fall accident attorneys can help you seek reimbursement for the following:
- Economic Damages — These include all medical bills related to treating your injuries, such as doctor visits, surgeries, and rehabilitation services. They may also include your lost income if you miss work and the repair of your damaged personal property.
- Non-Economic Damages — These are intended to compensate you for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish you experience as a result of the slip and fall accident. If your injuries affect your lifestyle and your marriage, you may also seek compensation for your loss of enjoyment of life and consortium.
In rare cases, courts may also award punitive damages to punish the liable parties for their malicious intent or gross negligence and deter others from behaving similarly in the future. Our slip and fall accident lawyers can help you evaluate your injuries and losses and outline the damages you may be able to pursue.
December 2016: $22M+ verdict in a mild traumatic brain injury case. The entire details of the case can be found in the public record filings by the defendant entity that sued its defense.– BRIAN BEECHER
What To Do After A Slip And Fall Accident
Despite overwhelming emotions, you must try to remain calm following a slip and fall accident. To safeguard your legal rights, we recommend following these steps:
- Assess Your Injuries First Before Moving — Remember that trip-and-fall accidents could lead to back, neck, and head injuries that could be fatal when you move your body in the wrong way. If you suspect you may have injuries in these areas, refrain from moving.
- Call 911 for Emergency Medical Services or Ask Someone Else to Do It for You — The paramedics will know better what to do depending on the injuries you sustained.
- Notify the Property Owner or Manager — They will likely create an incident report. Obtain a copy as proof that the owner or manager addressed your concern.
- Gather Enough Evidence — Take photos of the accident scene, including the hazards that caused your fall. Document the visible injuries you incurred and the surrounding area as well. It will also help if you collect statements from witnesses and keep any damaged personal belongings as evidence.
- Get Immediate Medical Treatment — Even if you don’t feel any pain, you must still see your doctor to assess potential injuries. Some bodily injuries, like concussions or TBIs, may not instantly appear, but these can have serious consequences if left untreated.
- Report the Incident to the Authorities — In the worst case, where you sustain severe injuries, you must inform the police department about your fall and secure a copy of the accident report.
- Call Arash Law — Our Santa Clara slip and fall accident attorneys are ready to assess your case. We will evaluate the details of the incident and guide you through the next steps.
Statistics Of Slip And Fall Accidents
According to 2023 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, slips, trips, and falls accounted for 79 fatal work-related injuries in California.
In the entire country, the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) reported that slip and fall accidents may be a significant cause of job-related fatalities. The report also mentioned that falls may lead to serious injuries, with fractures occurring in 5% of all fall victims.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Slip And Fall Accidents
What Are The Options To Resolve A Slip And Fall Accident?
If you trip and fall on public or private property, there are various legal options available to move forward with your case. Our team of Santa Clara slip and fall accident lawyers can review the facts of accidents and suggest a suitable course of action. Generally, we can pursue compensation through:
- Out-of-Court Negotiations — Our legal advocates can speak with the responsible parties and their insurance providers. We will stand up for your rights and demand just compensation for your documented losses.
- Court Representation — If negotiation talks fail, our Santa Clara attorneys may suggest taking your slip and fall accident case to court. During litigation, we will present evidence establishing the other party’s liability.
How Long Does It Take To Settle A Slip And Fall Lawsuit?
There’s no set timeline for personal injury claims, including slip and fall accidents. The time it takes to resolve a case depends on numerous factors, such as:
- The complexity of the case.
- The number of liable parties involved.
- Insurance companies’ cooperation.
Insurance providers may contest the extent of their responsibility, resulting in disputes. Our attorneys can negotiate with insurers on your behalf and help you seek appropriate compensation. Back-and-forth negotiations could, therefore, increase the length of your case.
What Is The Timeline For Filing Slip And Fall Lawsuits?
Based on California’s statute of limitations, victims of slip and fall accidents can initiate a legal claim within two years after the incident happened. If the diagnosis of their injuries occurred later, they have two years from the date of discovery to file their case.
Meanwhile, exceptions and exemptions may apply in particular situations. For instance, the law pauses the statute of limitations when plaintiffs are minors until they reach legal age. The deadline also pauses if defendants are out of state or in jail until they return or are released from prison.
If plaintiffs fail to follow these time limits, the courts will likely dismiss their lawsuits, preventing them from pursuing compensation. If you want to learn about your deadlines, seek legal assistance from our slip and fall accident attorneys in Santa Clara. We can guide you through the legal procedures and help you adhere to the deadlines for submitting documents.
Contact Experienced Slip And Fall Accident Lawyers Serving Santa Clara
Hire our Santa Clara slip and fall accident lawyers to help you pursue just compensation. Our legal advocates have decades of collective experience, assisting clients in seeking compensation for their injuries. We are familiar with the intricacies of the law governing slip, trip, and fall incidents. Thus, we can help you navigate through the legal system.
Let us take care of your legal concerns. Contact our slip and fall accident lawyers in Santa Clara at (888) 488-1391 or complete our contact form. Our lines are available 24/7 to answer your queries.
Arash Law also serves clients from nearby locations, such as San Jose, Campbell, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Milpitas, Saratoga, Mountain View, East Foothills, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Stanford, East Palo Alto, and Newark.
