California Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer
A slip and fall can happen when you least expect it. One wet floor, uneven walkway, broken step, or poorly lit stairwell can cause a serious injury in seconds. If your fall happened because a property owner failed to fix a hazard or provide a warning, you may have the right to pursue compensation under California law.
At Lee Arter Law, we help people who were injured in slip and fall accidents on unsafe property. Whether your fall happened in a grocery store, apartment complex, parking lot, restaurant, workplace, or private home, our firm can evaluate your options and help you take the next step.
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What Counts as a Slip and Fall Accident in California?
A slip and fall injury is a type of premises liability claim. It occurs when a dangerous property condition causes someone to slip, trip, or fall and suffer harm. California law generally requires property owners, landlords, and businesses to take reasonable steps to keep their premises safe for visitors.
Slip and fall claims often involve more than just proving you fell. The most important issue is usually whether the property owner acted negligently by failing to address a dangerous condition that they knew about (or should have known about) through reasonable inspections and maintenance.
Where Do Slip and Fall Accidents Commonly Happen?
Slip and fall accidents can occur almost anywhere, but some locations are especially prone to hazards because of heavy foot traffic, frequent cleaning, weather exposure, or poor maintenance.
Common slip and fall locations include:
- Grocery stores and retail stores
- Restaurants and cafes
- Hotels and resorts
- Apartment buildings and rental properties
- Office buildings and commercial spaces
- Parking lots and garages
- Sidewalks and walkways
- Stairwells, elevators, and entryways
In many cases, a dangerous condition exists long before someone gets hurt. When owners ignore maintenance issues or fail to warn the public, a preventable fall becomes a serious legal and financial problem.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents are often caused by hazards that could have been fixed with basic upkeep or safer procedures. While every case is different, certain conditions appear frequently in California slip and fall claims.
Examples of slip and fall hazards include:
- Wet floors with no warning signs
- Spills, leaks, and recently mopped surfaces
- Loose rugs, mats, or carpets
- Uneven flooring or unexpected changes in elevation
- Broken steps, loose handrails, or damaged staircases
- Cracked sidewalks or potholes in walkways
- Cluttered aisles and tripping hazards
- Poor lighting in hallways, parking areas, or stairwells
- Ice or water tracked in at entrances during rain
Some hazards happen quickly, such as a spilled drink in a store aisle. Others develop over time, like uneven concrete or broken stairs. The legal question often becomes whether the property owner had enough time and opportunity to fix the problem or warn visitors.
What You Must Prove in a California Slip and Fall Claim
To pursue compensation after a slip and fall accident, you generally must show that the property owner or occupier was negligent. That means proving the accident was caused by an unsafe condition and that the owner failed to act reasonably under the circumstances.
A slip and fall claim typically requires proof that:
- A dangerous condition existed on the property
- The owner, business, or manager owed a duty of care
- The owner knew or should have known about the hazard
- The owner failed to repair it or provide proper warnings
- The unsafe condition directly caused injuries and damages
One of the most disputed issues in slip and fall cases is notice. A property owner may claim the hazard appeared too recently to address. However, if the condition existed long enough that reasonable inspections would have discovered it, the owner may still be held responsible.
Slip and Fall Injuries Can Be More Serious Than People Think
Many slip and fall victims feel embarrassed after a fall and assume they will “walk it off.” Unfortunately, falls frequently cause serious injuries that require emergency care, surgery, or long-term rehabilitation.
Slip and fall injuries may include broken wrists, ankles, hips, and ribs. Head injuries and concussions are common when a person falls backward or strikes a hard surface. Back and spinal injuries can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and time away from work. Even soft tissue injuries can cause long-lasting symptoms and impact daily activities.
If you felt pain, dizziness, numbness, or reduced movement after a fall, medical evaluation is important—not only for your health, but also to document your injury for a claim.
What If You Were Partially at Fault?
Property owners and insurance companies often try to blame the injured person. You may hear arguments like “you weren’t watching where you were going” or “the hazard was obvious.” In California, being partially at fault does not automatically prevent you from recovering compensation.
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you share some responsibility. Your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault, but you may still have a valid case.
How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in California?
In many cases, California law provides two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to pursue compensation.
If your slip and fall happened on government property—such as a public sidewalk, city building, courthouse, or public school—different rules may apply, and deadlines can be much shorter. Early action also helps preserve evidence such as surveillance video, incident reports, and witness statements.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Slip and Fall?
The cost of a fall injury can add up quickly. Medical bills, missed work, and ongoing pain can create financial stress when you should be focused on recovery. A slip and fall claim may allow you to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
Compensation may include medical expenses, future medical care, physical therapy, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and out-of-pocket costs. Many cases also involve compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the long-term effects of the injury on your quality of life.
If a slip and fall accident results in a fatal injury, surviving family members may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim.
What To Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
Taking the right steps after a fall can protect both your health and your legal rights. If possible, report the incident to the property owner or manager and request that an incident report be completed. If you are able, take photos or videos of the hazard, the surrounding area, and your injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses and keep copies of medical records and receipts.
Just as important, avoid giving detailed recorded statements to insurance companies before you understand your rights. Insurance adjusters may attempt to use your words against you to reduce or deny your claim.
Why Slip and Fall Claims Get Denied
Slip and fall cases are often challenged because businesses and property owners do not want to admit a hazard existed. Insurers may argue there was no dangerous condition, the owner had no notice of the problem, or your injury was unrelated to the fall.
These cases often require evidence such as video footage, maintenance logs, cleaning policies, inspection schedules, and witness testimony. Working with an attorney can help uncover facts that are difficult to obtain without legal support.
How Lee Arter Law Can Help With Your Slip and Fall Case
At Lee Arter Law, we know that slip and fall injuries can create major consequences for your health, finances, and daily life. Our firm helps injury victims understand their options, prove liability, and pursue the compensation they deserve.
We can assist by investigating what caused the fall, identifying responsible parties, preserving key evidence, communicating with the insurance company, and pursuing a fair settlement or lawsuit when needed. Our goal is to make the legal process clearer and less stressful while we fight for the outcome you need to move forward.
Speak With a California Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Today
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident caused by unsafe property conditions, you may be entitled to compensation under California law. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the sooner important evidence can be preserved and your claim can be protected.
Contact Lee Arter Law today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help with your California slip and fall injury claim.