Los Angeles Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Under California law, a property owner has a duty to keep his or her property reasonably safe and to warn others of any dangerous condition if such a condition exists. Premises liability cases cover all cases where the owner breaches that duty of care, allowing dangerous conditions to exist on the property that cause bodily injury to others.
Common types of premises liability claims include injuries from: trip or slip and fall, dog bites, falling debris, exposure to hazardous material, swimming pool accidents and drownings, fires, inadequate security and insufficient lighting in common areas. Often such injuries occur due to the negligence of the property owner, either in failing to reasonably maintain or repair the property to eliminate the dangerous condition; or failing to warn of the existence of such dangerous conditions.
Slip and fall cases refer to situations where a person slips on someone else’s property. Slips usually occur while walking over slippery surfaces. Pedestrians are often unaware that the surface they are walking on is slippery, such as when someone walks into a building’s lobby and the floor has just been polished. It looks safe, but the floor is too slippery to give the proper amount of traction to the shoe, resulting in injury. Another common cause of slips is when a liquid is spilled on the floor. This commonly occurs in super-markets, such as when a customer spills a beverage, a container leaks, a floor is mopped but not properly dried, fruit is dropped and trampled on, or refrigeration equipment fails. In each instance, the store may be liable for the injuries. Each situation is different and must be properly evaluated by an experienced attorney.
Trip and fall cases refer to situations where someone trips over something, such as an offset in a sidewalk or a tear in carpeting. People who trip generally fall forward (as opposed to people who slip, who normally fall backwards), resulting in injury to the wrists, arms, shoulders, knees, and face. Trip and fall cases are often filed against governmental entities, such as cities and counties. This is because these governmental entities are responsible for maintaining sidewalks in a safe condition, one that is free from dangerous conditions. Cases against governmental entities involve different sets of law, different statute of limitations, and different claims handling practices. Selecting the right expert witness is also a crucial element in almost every slip and fall or trip and fall case. Only an attorney experienced in these types of cases should be considered to assist you.
Another factor in premises liability cases is the issue of insurance. It is common for property owners not to take responsibility for the dangerous conditions on their property. Even after someone is injured, the property owner may refuse to reveal vital insurance information to the victim. At the Law Office of Mann & Elias, we are experienced at tracking down hidden insurance policies so our clients can seek full compensation for their injuries. We will not hesitate to file a lawsuit against a property owner who refuses to cooperate.
Because conditions of the property where the injury occurred change rapidly, time is of the essence in premises liability cases. Even before you hire a lawyer, you should have someone take pictures of the scene of the accident as soon as possible. Pictures of the scene should be taken with a good camera and in good lighting. If picturing an offset in a sidewalk, a ruler or other point of reference should be used to illustrate the size of the offset. Getting the names, phone numbers, and addresses of witnesses is also important. Your attorney should contact the witnesses for statements immediately.
Los Angeles Slip & Fall Injury Attorney
The law offices of Mann & Elias has successfully represented numerous plaintiffs for personal injury claims against property owners for their negligence (see our most recent results). Please call us at 323-857-9500 if you or a loved one have been injured on someone else’s property or you can click here for a free case evaluation.
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