Your Helping Hand After A Trip-And-Fall Accident
Property owners have a duty to provide safe conditions for any visitors on the premises. Unfortunately, far too many people and companies do not maintain their land adequately, which can lead to very serious trip-and-fall accidents. These occur when someone’s foot or leg catches onto something and causes the victim to fall.
Our injury lawyers at Rencher Law Group, P.C., have seen hundreds of trip-and-fall accidents in California. With more than 20 years of experience handling severe injury cases, we have dealt with just about every contingency in these complex cases. We can help you regain control of your life, streamline the legal process and recover fair and just compensation.
What Should I Do If I Trip And Injure Myself On Someone Else’s Property?
The steps you take after a serious injury can have a significant impact on your civil case. By following certain steps carefully, you have the opportunity to maximize your financial recovery. After a trip-and-fall, try to:
- Get medical attention as soon as you can
- Take the name, contact information and insurance information of the property owner and any witnesses
- Use a camera or your phone to take pictures of the scene
- Contact an attorney as soon as possible
- Do not speak with any insurance company representatives
Insurance companies do not want to pay you the settlement that you truly need. Instead, they often make offers that are much too low. It is crucial to have a lawyer work with you to communicate with your insurance provider and ensure that the company does not take advantage of you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trip-And-Fall Accidents
Below, we address some of the most common questions our clients ask about trip-and-fall cases in California.
What is premises liability?
Premises liability is the legal concept that holds property owners responsible for accidents and injuries that occur on their property due to dangerous conditions they knew about or should have known about. Trip-and-fall accidents fall under this area of law. In California, property owners must maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors and provide adequate warnings about any hazards that cannot be immediately fixed.
What are the common causes of trip-and-fall accidents?
Trip-and-fall accidents typically occur when someone’s foot or leg catches on an obstacle. Common causes include:
- Uneven walkways or sidewalks with height differences
- Torn or bunched carpeting
- Unmarked steps or changes in floor elevation
- Exposed cables or wires across walkways
- Poor lighting that obscures obstacles
- Debris or objects left in walkways
- Broken or missing handrails on stairs
- Parking lot potholes or cracked pavement
These hazards often exist due to negligent maintenance or failure to properly warn visitors of dangerous conditions.
What type of damages can I recover from a trip-and-fall injury?
In California trip-and-fall cases, you may be eligible to recover several types of damages:
- Medical expenses (both current and future)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Rehabilitation costs
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- In some cases, punitive damages if the property owner’s conduct was particularly egregious
The specific compensation depends on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life.
I was injured in a trip-and-fall accident at a family member’s home, but I don’t want to sue them. How can I get compensation?
You typically do not need to directly sue your family member. Most homeowners have liability insurance that covers injuries occurring on their property. Your claim would be filed against their homeowner’s insurance policy, not against your family member personally. This allows you to receive compensation for your injuries while maintaining your relationship.
Can I still recover damages if a trip-and-fall injury was partially my fault in California?
Yes. California follows “pure comparative negligence” rules, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% responsible for your accident and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $70,000.
Free Consultations For Trip-And-Fall Victims
Are you concerned about paying for an attorney? Don’t be. At Rencher Law Group, P.C., we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not pay us any fees unless we recover compensation for you. To set up a free initial consultation, please call our San Diego and San Francisco attorneys at 415-900-1566 or use our online contact form.