El Segundo Slip & Fall Accident Lawyer
Contact Us
Trusted Slip And Fall Accident Lawyers In El Segundo
Slip and fall accidents can cause severe injuries such as hip fractures, sprained wrists, and traumatic brain injuries. These accidents can even be fatal and thousands of people are hospitalized every year due to them. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may want to consider seeking the help of an experienced El Segundo slip and fall accident lawyer at Sheridan & Rund, PC Kahroba to recover financially. If you have been injured from slipping and falling, you may be entitled to compensation from the property owner or another party. Our personal injury law firm in Los Angeles County offers a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.
Most Common Causes of Slips and Fall Accidents
Over 1 million people visit hospital emergency rooms every year due to slip and fall accidents. Slippery surfaces are among the most common causes of these accidents. Some of the other most common slip and fall accidents include:
- Spilled liquids
- Negligent cleaning schedules
- Greasy floors
- Freshly waxed or mopped floors
- Food debris
- Lack of warning signs on wet floors
- Dangerous floor surfaces
- Inadequate lighting
- Poor floor construction
- Electrical cords
Property owners have a responsibility to prevent slip and fall accidents. They must take reasonable steps to address potential hazards. If a guest is injured because the owner was negligent in their duty to address dangerous conditions, the owner may be held legally responsible for any damages incurred by the guest through a premises liability injury claim. It’s important to note that most slip-and-fall accidents can be prevented, which is why having an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer in El Segundo represent your case can help you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.
Liability In A Slip And Fall Accident In California
Property owners have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their premises, and they are typically held accountable for slip and fall accidents that result from their negligence. In order to be legally liable for injuries sustained by a slipping person on their property, one of the following must be true.
- The property owner knew about the dangerous condition and did not try to correct it
- The property owner should have taken necessary steps to prevent injuries as a reasonable person would have done
- An aspect of the property design contributed to your accident
- The property owner created a dangerous situation which led to your accident
However, some state laws may find the victim responsible for their slip and fall incident if it is discovered that they were careless or disregarded warning signs. These laws dictate who will receive compensation and how much they are entitled to, if any.
Proving Negligence In A Slip And Fall Accident
To receive compensation for a slip and fall accident, you or your attorney must prove that the defendant was at fault, usually for negligence. Negligence refers to failing to meet appropriate standards of care, such as not checking a property for hazards or ignoring a known defect. As the injured victim, the burden of proof in this type of claim falls on you.
It is often argued by property managers and their insurance companies that slip and fall victims are partly or fully responsible for their accidents. To win a slip and fall lawsuit in California, it is necessary to prove that the defendant was negligent and that they caused or contributed to the accident, using strong evidence. There are five key elements that must be proven to be more likely to be true than not true in a premises liability case in California. Our El Segundo slip and fall lawyers can help you establish the following elements:
- The defendant was the owner or controller of the property at the time of the accident.
- The defendant knew or reasonably should have known of the dangerous condition.
- The defendant negligently failed to remedy or warn visitors of the dangerous condition.
- The dangerous condition caused the victim’s injuries.
- The victim suffered compensable losses.
Proving the second element is usually tough. To prove that someone is responsible for a hazardous situation, you need to show evidence that they either made it, knew about it or should have known about it because it existed for a long time. Evidence used to support this may include surveillance footage, photos, past accident reports, visitor complaints, cleaning or maintenance records, and testimony from witnesses or experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does A Slip and Fall Case Take To Settle?
It’s understandable to feel impatient when waiting for a settlement after a slip and fall accident in Los Angeles, CA. If you’re not at fault for the accident, it’s unfair to have to pay for medical expenses and lost wages that are piling up and causing financial strain for your family. However, before receiving compensation from the party at fault, you’ll have to wait for your case to settle.
The time it takes for a slip and fall case to settle varies greatly and there is no set average timeline. While some cases may reach a settlement within a few months, others can take a year or more. Delays in settling your injury claim may occur due to various factors.
- Length of medical recovery. Settling your case before fully healing from your injuries is not recommended. This could lead to settling for a lower value than what you deserve. If your recovery time is long, anticipate that your case will take longer to settle.
- Complicated case factors. If your slip and fall accident case is complex, it may take longer to resolve due to factors such as a liability dispute, comparative negligence, multiple defendants, or catastrophic injuries. While there are strategies to expedite the process, the intricate nature of the case can cause delays.
- Settlement vs. trial. To expedite your slip and fall case, it’s recommended to reach a settlement agreement with the insurance company instead of pursuing a trial. Generally, settling only requires a few months, whereas a trial will have to wait for a court date, which could take a while in a busy courthouse.
If you’re injured in a slip and fall accident in California, you’ll likely need to file an insurance claim. The process involves the insurance company investigating the incident, deciding whether or not to approve your claim, and possibly negotiate a settlement. If the insurance company denies the claim or you can’t reach a settlement, you may need to go to court. In a typical injury lawsuit, there is a discovery phase, pretrial motions, mediation, and a trial. Our El Segundo slip and fall lawyers can help you navigate these legal processes.
How Much Is A Slip And Fall Case Worth?
The value of a slip and fall case is based on the severity of the injuries and losses suffered by the victim. Typically, cases involving more severe injuries will result in higher compensation than cases with minor injuries. You may be able to recover damages such as medical expenses and loss of income if you or a loved one has experienced a slip and fall incident.
- Medical expenses and disability costs
- Losses of income
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Emotional injuries
- Legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses
- Punitive damages
To find out how much your slip and fall claim is worth, you can schedule a free consultation with our slip and fall attorneys in El Segundo, California. We will review your claim and provide an accurate estimate. If we decide to take on your case, we can assist you in negotiating with the insurance company to get the highest possible compensation.
What Are The Statutes Of Limitations For Slip And Fall Accidents In California?
It’s important to act quickly and seek legal advice after a slip and fall accident in California. This is because the state has a statute of limitations that allows you only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit and make a claim for compensation. If you don’t file within this two-year time frame, you’ll likely lose your right to seek compensation, with few exceptions.
Please keep in mind that there are some circumstances that may make your deadline longer, such as if the victim is under 18 years of age. However, if you plan on suing the government for a slip and fall incident, you must file within six months. To protect your legal rights, it is important to act fast and arrange a free consultation with our experienced El Segundo slip and fall accident lawyers right away.
Contact Our El Segundo Slip And Fall Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve had a slip and fall accident in Los Angeles County, Sheridan & Rund, PC Kahroba can provide professional legal assistance. With a track record of successful cases, we have the experience and resources to handle your claim effectively and efficiently. Our slip and fall accident lawyers in El Segundo, CA can provide legal representation for your injury, whether it occurred at a grocery store due to a wet floor or on private property with unsafe conditions. We take a strong approach to injury claims and won’t let insurance companies pressure our clients into settling for less compensation. To assess the value of your premises liability claim, book a free initial consultation with one of our skilled personal injury attorneys now.