Los Angeles Slip and Fall Attorney

Top Slip and Fall Lawyers & Attorneys in Los Angeles

Slip and fall accidents are among the most common types of accidents that occur in Los Angeles. Our top-rated Los Angeles attorneys have been helping slip and fall accident victims for decades and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on their behalf. Slip and fall accidents can lead to the most severe types of injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Something so simple as a slip could cause life-changing, permanent injuries. Sometimes, slip and fall accidents could even result in death. Whether you or a loved one has suffered in a slip and fall accident, we encourage you to contact our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers today for a free case evaluation.

Common Slip and Fall Injuries

Below are examples of the most common injuries associated with a slip and fall accident.

• Head Injuries (Brain injury) – This is the most common type of injury from a slip and fall, causing Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A TBI may range from a minor concussion to severe mental impairment.
• Broken Arm, Leg, or Ankle – Slipping or tripping can cause a severe fall, ending with a broken arm, leg, or ankle. Older people are more likely to break their leg or arm in a slip and fall.
• Fractured Bones (Fractured Ankle) – Fractured ankles are commonly associated with slip and fall accidents. This is also common among older people who experience a slip and fall injury.
• Soft Tissue Injury (Torn ligament or sprained ankle/wrist) – If you don’t break a bone from a slip and fall, you might have a sprained ankle or torn ligament.
• Skin Injuries – Breaking the skin due to a slip and fall can happen if a sharp object cuts you, or the pavement causes a tear.
• Back Injury and Spinal Cord Injury – Permanent back injuries can happen with a herniated disk injury, fractured vertebrae, or nerve damage. At least 25% of spinal cord injuries are caused by a slip and fall accident.
• Shoulder Injury – A dislocated shoulder or broken shoulder may have resulted from a slip and fall, causing permanent damage. This may require surgery to recover.

Slip and Fall Accident Causes

There are many different reasons why slips and falls happen. Below are some of the most common types of slip and fall accidents.

• Wet surfaces, freshly mopped floors, liquid spills
• Uneven walkways, cracked pavement
• Carpet, floorboards, loose floor mats
• Worn-out carpet
• Broken floor tiles, damaged wood flooring
• Poorly designed walkways
• Objects in the walkway, electrical cords, and wires
• The weather is causing wet or icy surfaces
• Poor lighting in a dim area
• Broken or damaged stairs and handrails
• Lack of signage with warnings
• Unsafe construction zones

Slip and Fall on Sidewalks

Suppose you have slipped and fallen on a sidewalk in Los Angeles. In that case, you may be able to hold the government agency responsible for improper maintenance of the sidewalks, along with the property owners who are responsible for the sidewalk. For more information on a sidewalk lawsuit in Los Angeles, contact our top-rated personal injury attorneys.

Slip and Fall: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Slip and Fall Accident?

Contrary to common belief, there is a difference between slip and fall accidents and trip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents occur when a liquid spill on the floor or a slippery substance causes the victim to slip and fall on the ground. A trip and fall accident occurs when there is an object on the ground that causes the victim’s foot to get caught up in it and trip. Slip and fall accidents fall under a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim is a legal term used to refer to a lawsuit in which the victim seeks compensation.

What Should I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Los Angeles?

• The first step is to be evaluated by a medical provider. They most likely conduct imaging on your back, head, and neck to determine what injury you have suffered.
• Suppose you have suffered injuries while on the job, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim against your employer. Keep in mind that you must file this claim within a certain number of days. For more information, contact our attorneys today.
• If you slip and fall on another person’s property, be sure to notify them about the dangerous condition. We recommend that you inform them in writing to ensure proof of notice to the property owner.
• Take photos of the accident location. A slip and fall accident can be complicated to prove after a certain amount of time has passed, especially since the other party may have altered the accident scene. For example, if you slipped on a wet floor in a grocery store, they will most likely have cleaned it up a couple of minutes after the accident. Ensure that you obtain all the necessary photos after the accident.

What Should I Not Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Los Angeles?

We recommend that all clients refrain from speaking to an insurance adjuster or the defendant after a slip and fall accident. Reasons for this could be that the other party may try to extract as many statements from you as possible to skew the story later and change or alter what you have said. You should refrain from speaking to any parties until you have talked to your attorney.

Where Do Slip and Fall Injuries Most Often Occur in Los Angeles?

There are various locations in Los Angeles where slip and fall accidents can occur. The most common areas where slip and fall accidents occur include:

• Houses and apartment complexes
• Grocery stores
• Department stores
• Amusement parks

Who is Responsible for a Slip and Fall Accident in Los Angeles?

Several parties can be held responsible for a slip and fall accident. Some examples of potential defendants include:

• Property owners
• Landowners
• Property managers
• Business owners
• Employees
• Landlords
• Tenants

Can I sue a property owner if I slip and fall on their property in Los Angeles?

If you are living in California and have suffered a slip and fall injury, you should seek medical attention and contact a professional California slip and fall injury lawyer. You could be able to sue a property owner depending on the circumstances and who controlled the property where you fell.

Under California law, landowners or land possessors have a duty to their patrons and employees to keep the premises safe. In this case, we are looking at the logistics (meaning the structure of the building/office). Our attorneys would gather evidence to see the liability on the defendant’s part. If the defendant failed to maintain the property correctly, they could be held liable.

This duty to their patrons and employees is; if their building is not designed safely, then they must do their due diligence to create a secure environment. What this entails is that the owner is required to implement a specific protocol and, more specifically, follow guidelines and procedures to inspect the premises of the building and note any potential risks that could result in injury to their customers/patrons/employees.  Failure to do so may result in liability in a slip-and-fall claim.

Examples of situations where the landowner would not adequately maintain the property include:

• Loose carpeting
• Loose hardwood
• Missing stairwell railing
• Failure to clean the floors every couple of hours
• No cleaning protocols in place
• Hazards that have not been closed off to the public

How Do You Prove a Slip and Fall Accident in Los Angeles?

To prove a slip and fall accident, there are elements you have to meet:

• The defendant created an unsafe environment and had a duty to make sure that their property was safe.
• The defendant was aware of the unsafe environment, yet they continued to have their property open to the public.
• The defendant failed to repair or replace the unsafe condition on their property.
• The defendant failed to warn property visitors about the unsafe condition.

What type of compensation can I recover for slip and fall cases?

Do not let insurance companies think that your damages are a minimum amount. That is why it is crucial to hire an experienced slip and fall accident attorney to handle negotiations with insurance companies. A slip and fall accident can include large sums of compensation to reimburse the plaintiff for their injuries. Although damage amounts may vary depending on the state, examples of some damages a plaintiff could recover in California include:

• Medical bills
•  Lost earnings
•  Lost future income
•  Punitive damages
•  Pain and suffering
•  Prescription medication

When can I file a lawsuit after a slip and fall accident?

Each state has a different time requirement as to when a plaintiff can sue for a slip and fall accident. In California, a plaintiff must bring the lawsuit within two years of the slip and fall accident. This is also known as the statute of limitations. Contact us for a free, no-risk consultation today to determine whether your claim falls within the statute of limitations period.

How Much is a Slip Settlement Worth in Los Angeles?

A slip and fall settlement may be worth thousands of dollars, depending on the circumstances of the accident and the injuries the victim suffered. If the victim suffered life-changing injuries, they will most likely receive a higher compensation amount.

It is important to note that slip and fall accidents often result in settlements between the parties. Parties will usually try to negotiate a settlement before going to trial, as a trial can be very costly.

How long does a slip lawsuit take?

The outcome depends on the different types of accidents the plaintiff experienced.  The more complex the lawsuit, the longer it is likely to be, as both parties will attempt to gather evidence during the discovery process.

Do I need a lawyer for a slip accident?

Legally, you do not need an attorney to represent you in a slip and fall accident. But insurance companies will try to downplay the amount. That is why it is essential to hire an experienced trial attorney who can argue in trial and reject the settlement amount if it is relatively low. Our aggressive slip and fall attorneys will work to ensure your rights are well represented and that you are compensated for your injuries.

Why Hire Our Slip Accident Attorneys at Heidari Law?

• We are located in the heart of Los Angeles, and are also available via phone and email to all our clients.
• We are committed to ensuring that we communicate clearly with our clients and that they understand every step we take in their case.
• We fight aggressively against insurance companies and negotiate for the maximum compensation available to you.
• We fight tirelessly to represent all the damages that you have suffered.
• Our top-rated attorneys will investigate all the circumstances involving your slip and fall accident.
• We do not collect any fees unless we win.