Irvine Slip-and-Fall Lawyer Fighting for Justice for the Injured

When we go to a public place or head to our jobs, we anticipate that the property owner will maintain it in a safe manner or at least warn us of any hazards that could cause us injury. Claims involving accidents on someone else’s property are known as premises liability claims. By far, the most common type of premises liability claim involves slip-and-fall accidents.

Injuries from slips and falls can be severe and may cause long-term damage or even death. You may receive a quick settlement offer from the insurance company, but it may not be in your best interest to accept it because it likely won’t fully cover all your medical bills and other losses caused by your injuries. You deserve fair compensation if you have experienced a harmful slip-and-fall accident due to someone else’s negligence. A slip-and-fall lawyer from Hejazi Law Group can provide a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options for recovering damages. Call our law office today at (949) 749-7402 to learn more.

What Harm Can Be Caused by Slip-and-Fall Accidents?

While some individuals who fall only suffer from hurt pride, many face much worse consequences. Over a million people are seen in U.S. emergency rooms every year due to slip-and-fall injuries. The damage caused by the impact of a fall can range from minor to severe and may even lead to death, especially for older victims or those falling from heights. Some of the complications of a slip-and-fall accident can include the following:

• Bruising
• Lacerations
• Broken or fractured bones, especially the hip, pelvis, hand, upper arm, and spine
• Dislocations
• Head trauma
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
• Death

Medical costs for treating these injuries can be very high, especially if long-term care is required, like in the case of a spinal cord injury. Some of these serious injuries may also cause other complications, especially for older individuals. Secondary issues such as blood clots, loss of mobility and muscle tone, chronic pain, loss of independence, and depression can negatively impact an accident victim’s quality of life and may lead to incapacitation, permanent disability, and in the worst-case scenario, premature death.

Where Can Slip-and-Fall Accidents Happen?

When someone’s feet cannot maintain enough traction on a walking surface, they risk losing their balance and falling. Property owners have a duty to frequently inspect their property and identify potentially hazardous areas to prevent this type of accident. If they find a dangerous condition, they must fix it or provide a clear warning about the hazard to visitors. A failure to take these steps can leave the property owner liable for any slip-and-fall accident that happens on the premises due to their negligence. Hazardous situations that can cause a slip-and-fall include:

• Unmaintained surfaces: Uneven or broken stairs, missing railings, or damaged surfaces can cause accidents.
• Surfaces impacted by weather: While southern California residents do not have to contend with snow and ice, other weather conditions, such as heavy rain or wind-blown sand, can make surfaces slick and dangerous to walk on.
• Cluttered surfaces: Slipping is not the only way to lose traction. Tripping can also cause a harmful fall accident. Tripping is often caused by unexpected items in walkways, such as cords, boxes, or rubbish.
• Dangerous walking areas: Any condition that can lead to a lack of traction may cause falls, including slippery sidewalks, wet floors, uneven surfaces, loose rugs, ripped carpeting, and more.
• Unsafe workplaces: Employers who do not keep their workplaces safe for their employees can open themselves to a slip-and-fall lawsuit. Falls can occur due to inadequate lighting, improper footwear, debris in working areas, poorly maintained equipment, spills, and other situations.

How Can California’s Comparative Fault Laws Impact Your Slip-and-Fall Case?

California is a pure comparative negligence state, which means that victims can seek compensation for damages caused by any accident as long as they are not completely responsible for it. The amount awarded to the victim will be decreased by the percentage of fault assigned to them. This gives a strong incentive to insurance companies to try to shift blame for the accident onto the victim to avoid paying their slip-and-fall claim. The insurance often says the accident would not have happened if the victim had just been more careful. Proving the difference between being 20% or 70% at fault for a slip-and-fall accident can be challenging, but it can significantly impact how much compensation you can recover in your case. Having a skilled slip-and-fall lawyer on your side who can collect the necessary evidence to build a robust case and fight back against the insurance company’s accusations is crucial.

What Does a Slip-and-Fall Attorney Do?

As noted above, fault can be challenging to prove legally in a slip-and-fall case. A skilled slip-and-fall lawyer understands what evidence is required to prove negligence on the property owner’s part. They know time is of the essence because evidence can quickly be lost or destroyed in premises liability cases. Slip-and-fall lawyers will use all the resources at their disposal to bolster premises liability claims, including interviewing witnesses and getting expert opinions on the accident and subsequent injuries.

When determining fair compensation for their losses, it can be tough for victims to calculate an amount that covers the entirety of their damages. This is particularly true if they have ongoing medical costs or have experienced non-economic losses. A slip-and-fall accident lawyer from Hejazi Law Group can properly value your claim to ensure that you and your family can recover the full compensation you deserve.

Hejazi Law Group believes you shouldn’t have to suffer for a property owner’s negligent actions. If you have been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property, call our law firm today for a free consultation: (949) 749-7402.