Under California State Law, property owners, property managers, and even maintenance workers can be held liable for the safety of the premises they are held responsible for maintaining. If a property is not properly maintained, there are several dangers than can appear, which may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Broken or unstable stairs,
- Icy walkways,
- Puddles that make a walkway slippery, or
- Uneven floors.
Any of these dangers can lead to a person’s injury by cause of a slip and fall accident. If you have experienced a slip and fall injury while on someone else’s property, you should consider speaking to a premises liability attorney. An attorney with the right experience can help to identify the responsible party.
Identifying Negligence
While slip and fall cases can happen in any location and to just about any person, not every case will have a responsible party. A property owner, property manager, or even a property maintenance worker could be held accountable if he or she was found to be negligent in the situation. Negligence refers to the theory that the party acted in a careless manner. This also means that the party has failed to maintain a safe property or that he or she has failed to respond quickly to a hazardous situation. Premises liability laws in the State of California declare that property owners and property overseers are liable for the upkeep and maintenance of the property so that it adheres to a hazard-free setting. It also holds these parties accountable for warning property visitors for when a danger is present.
Long Lasting Injuries
A slip and fall accident can lead to long lasting issues. Many slip and fall incidents can lead to injuries severe enough that will require long-term medical treatment. A common example of a slip and fall accident injury is that of a traumatic brain injury. Many slip and fall accidents are sudden and leave victims with little to no response time to protect themselves. Traumatic brain injuries can result in visual impairments, nausea, or even mental incapacitation.
The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention
Whether or not you believe your injuries were severe in the aftermath of a slip and fall accident, you should always consider seeking medical attention. Many injuries will not have immediate effects. The failure to seek immediate medical attention can lead a person to suffer from undiagnosed pain. The failure to seek medical attention can also lead to the inability of seeking restitution for the injuries. Many courts will declare that no such injury exists if there is no medical record to track the ailment.
The Cost of a Slip and Fall Accident
While many slip and fall accidents can have minimal consequences, there are countless of others that can quickly result in severe damages to a victim’s personal life. For instance, suffering a slip and fall accident can lead to the loss of work, which could result in financial troubles.
If you or someone you know has suffered from a slip and fall accident, it is important to understand that there may be an opportunity to seek restitution for the injuries sustained. Consult with a legal professional that has experience in slip and fall accident claims. An experienced attorney can outline your options and ensure that your claim has the best opportunity at being successful. The attorneys at the ROHDE LAW OFFICE, APC are dedicated to helping individuals who have suffered slip and fall accidents. Consult the advice and support of a qualified attorney who can help guide you throughout the claims process.