Tripping and falling accidents that happen on other people’s property can cause serious injuries. In most cases of trip and spill accidents on dangerous or unkempt premises, the law holds the owner legally responsible for the injured person’s damages. If you fell on someone else’s property because of their negligence, they may owe you compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Whether you are in negotiations with insurance companies or considering civil litigation, it is best to contact a Stockton slip and fall lawyer right away to discuss the details of your case. A personal injury attorney understands the local laws and legal processes, so they are in the best position to advocate for you.
Common Causes of Local Slip and Fall Injuries
California residents have a legal obligation, or “duty of care,” to keep their premises safe and protect those who enter from harm. If a property owner failed to meet those legal obligations and injured you through their negligence, they could be liable for your resulting damages.
Injuries can occur when someone slips, trips, or falls because of a hazardous condition. Examples of dangerous property conditions that commonly lead to slipping and falling incidents include:
- Wet floors
- Broken stairs
- Uneven pavement
- Loose floor mats
- Missing or defective handrails
- Bulging, warn, or loose carpeting or flooring
- Unsalted icy surfaces
- Recently polished or waxed floors
- Unmarked holes
A well-practiced attorney in Stockton knows what to look for at the scene of your trip and spill incident and could help prove the landowner’s culpability.
Investigating a Stockton Trip and Spill Case
To seek compensation for your injuries, you will need to prove that the trip and fall accident wasn’t your fault and that the owner of the property was negligent. To prove the landowner’s negligence, you will need to compile evidence to support your claim. A knowledgeable trip and spill attorney could help you establish fault and verify the property owner’s liability with a thorough investigation.
The investigation may involve visiting the accident scene, interviewing witnesses, and requesting video footage if available. Local attorneys understand that the timely preservation of evidence which may otherwise be lost or destroyed over time is crucial to the success of any slip and fall claim.
Damages and Liability in Trips and Fall Cases
While state law requires property owners to keep their premises safe, it is not uncommon for landowners or their insurers to claim that an injured person was at least partially at fault for their own falling accident. For this reason, it is advisable to take pictures of the scene of the trip and fall incident immediately after it happens so you can capture the state of the property before the owner has time to alter any evidence of fault.
If you sustain an injury on someone else’s property, you will also need to prove that you incurred compensable damages from the fall. A trip and spill injury attorney in Stockton could help prove liability and calculate all past, present, and potential future costs.
Statute of Limitations
California Civil Code §335.1 gives anyone who was hurt on another person’s property two years from the accident date to file a civil lawsuit. A Stockton slip and trip attorney could file the civil case on your behalf in accordance with all civil procedure codes, rules, and guidelines.
Contact a Slip and Fall Attorney in Stockton Today
A Stockton slip and fall lawyer has the experience, dedication, and resources to help pursue compensation from liable parties. Regardless of how severe your injuries might be, if someone’s negligence caused you pain and suffering, you may be eligible to receive damages. Call today.