Sacramento Slip and Fall Lawyer

What Are Slip and Fall Accidents? 

“Slip and fall” is a term used for personal injury cases in which the victim slips or trips on someone else’s property, injuring him or herself due to the carelessness of the owner to maintain safe premises. Many conditions can lead to these types of accidents, including: 

• Slipping on wet floors 
• Falling down steps after the railing gives out 
• Tripping on torn carpet 
• Tipping on uneven sidewalks 
• Falling in locations that have little to no lighting 

When these accidents happen on someone else’s property, the property owner might be liable for your injuries, and all associated costs. 

Common Slip and Fall Injuries 

Injuries you may sustain from a slip and fall accident range from mild to severe. No matter how minimal the consequences may seem, they can still affect your daily life. It’s essential to know the types of injuries that are common during slip and falls in case you ever find yourself in this situation.

Broken Bones 

Bones break when there is more pressure on them than they can withstand. In slip and fall accidents, hips and ankles are some of the most commonly broken bones. When people fall forward, they have a natural tendency to put their arms out in front of them, which can lead to wrist fractures. 

Knee Injuries 

The impact from falling on your knees can result in complicated knee injuries. Knees are made up of bones and ligaments, and when you hurt your MCL or ACL, it can take months to heal. Additionally, you might also dislocate your patella. Surgery may be required to make a complete recovery. 

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur when your head hits the ground or an object in a slip and fall. A jolt to the head without direct impact can also cause a TBI. These are among the most severe injuries a person can sustain, although they can be difficult to diagnose. 

Soft Tissue Damage 

A soft tissue injury is an internal injury to the parts of your body that aren’t made of bone, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Soft tissue injuries may include bruises, strains, and tendonitis.

Cuts and Bruises

One of the most common injuries accident victims sustain is cuts or bruises. While they might not seem serious at first, cuts can become infected, and bruises may lead to more serious internal injuries. 

How to Prove Slip and Fall Accident Claims in California 

A successful slip and fall claim relies on your attorney being able to prove the following three things according to a preponderance of the evidence: the property owner had a duty of care to guests or customers; the defendant was negligent and breached that duty of care; and the breach of duty caused the plaintiff’s injuries. 

• Duty of care: A property owner has a basic duty of care to anyone they invite onto their property. This means ensuring that they maintain and repair the property so invitees are not injured. 

• Negligence: To prove negligence, you must show that the defendant did not act responsibly to avoid an injury. For example, an employee cleaning the floor but failing to put out a wet floor sign may result in negligence. 
• Liability: This is the hardest part of the case to prove, but your attorney might discover evidence that shows the defendant’s actions or inactions directly caused your injuries. 

If your attorney can show the court that it is more likely than not that the above three elements occurred, you may be able to recover financial compensation for your accident-related expenses.  

Compensation You May Receive from a Slip and Fall Injury

From surgeries to doctor’s visits, costs can quickly add up, and you might even be out of work depending on your injuries. When your injuries result from someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to foot the bill. 

While all personal injury cases are different, your California slip and fall attorney might be able to secure compensation for the following losses:

• Medical bills  
• Pain and suffering
• Physical therapy 
• Lost wages 
• Future loss of income 
• Wrongful death 
• Funeral costs 
• Permanent disabilities 
• In-home rehabilitation 
• Mental exhaustion 

In some rare cases, a judge may award you punitive damages. These are awarded when the defendant acts in an extremely negligent or deceptive manner, and they are meant to deter people from acting similarly in the future. 

Should I Hire a California Personal Injury Attorney? 

Fault in slip and fall accidents is incredibly challenging to prove because the victim was usually the only one involved in the accident. In terms of car crashes, since there are typically two drivers involved, this is much easier to figure out.

Conversely, when you fall down a staircase, it may be hard to determine who was liable. No second-party is pushing you down the steps; instead, their alleged negligence of not maintaining the staircase caused the accident. Proving that a business or property owner is at fault for your injuries is an extremely challenging process for those not familiar with personal injury law. 

In addition, insurers may try to deny your claim or blame you for your injuries. Overall, you’re more likely to achieve a favorable outcome if you hire a personal injury attorney.