Lancaster Slip and Fall Lawyer

Slip and Fall Accidents

vA “slip and fall” may seem minor at first glance. For some people, tripping and falling on a flat surface produces no injuries at all. But for others, a simple slip and fall accident could have catastrophic consequences.

Slips, trips, and falls account for millions of visits to the emergency room each year. According to the CDC, one in five falls results in serious injury, including head trauma and broken bones. For people ages 65-84 years, falls are the second leading cause of injury-related death.

Tragically, many slip and fall accidents are preventable. Governments, companies, and private property owners are responsible for maintaining the property in their charge. If a city fails to repair a broken sidewalk or a store employee fails to clean up a puddle, an innocent person could slip, fall, and suffer greatly.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a slip and fall accident, you should explore your legal options. After a simple fall, a person’s serious injuries can lead to expensive medical bills and months of lost wages. You deserve a slip and fall attorney that can help you recover everything you’re entitled to from the at-fault party.

The Lancaster slip and fall lawyers from PARRIS Law Firm have been fighting for victims of slip and fall accidents since 1985, with excellent results. Get your complimentary case review with our slip and fall accident attorneys today.

Why Our Lancaster, CA Slip and Fall Attorneys?

When you or a loved one have suffered from someone else’s negligence, there is no better fighter for you than PARRIS Law Firm.

The PARRIS track record is unrivaled. Over nearly four decades of practice, our trial lawyers have amassed $1.9 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients. Our attorneys are some of the top in the nation, recognized by The Daily Journal and National Law Review as exceptional litigators and trailblazers in the field of personal injury law.

Our real focus, however, is on clients like you. We fight relentlessly in court because we know that injured victims deserve justice. The PARRIS team is committed to making the legal process as smooth as possible for you; we fight your battles while you focus on healing.

No Fees Until We Win

Part of making the legal process smooth is working out a payment plan that serves you best. At PARRIS, our lawyers work on contingency, meaning that you pay no legal fees until we win your case. We are paid through a portion of the settlement or verdict we secure for you. If we are unsuccessful, you will owe us nothing.

When choosing a slip and fall attorney to fight for you and your loved ones, results matter. Never settle for less. PARRIS will secure the best possible outcome for your case—whatever it takes.

Get your free slip and fall case review today.

Who Is Responsible for a Slip and Fall Accident?

Property owners—whether a municipality, a company, or a person—are responsible for ensuring their property is safe for authorized guests to use. If they fail to reasonably maintain their property, they may be liable for any injuries that occur on the premises. The legal theory behind this is called “premises liability.”

Depending on where the accident occurred, a host of entities may be responsible for compensating you for your injuries. For example, say a light went out in the stairwell in a retail store, causing you to trip. In that case, the retail company, the building owner, and the company responsible for installing and maintaining the lights may be liable for your injuries.

Proving Negligence in a Slip and Fall Accident

However, a property owner may not be responsible for every slip, trip, or fall that occurs on their property. To recover compensation, a victim must show that the property owner was negligent. In slip and fall cases, an injured person must show that:

• The owner created the dangerous condition that caused the accident.
• The owner knew or should have known that the condition existed.
• The owner failed to correct the condition in a reasonable amount of time.
• The owner should have foreseen that the dangerous condition could have hurt someone.

This may seem like a difficult task, but the slip and fall attorneys at PARRIS Law Firm have decades of experience securing personal injury verdicts and settlements for clients. You focus on your recovery, and we’ll fight for your legal battles.

Comparative Negligence

An important factor to consider is that a person can play a role—however small—in causing their own accident. Thankfully, California law allows people to recover damages for their injuries even if they are found partially at fault.

This system, called comparative negligence, applies to most types of personal injury cases, including slip and fall accidents. For example, if a person is found 20% at fault for an accident that left them severely injured, they would be able to collect 80% of a jury award in their favor.

In some slip and fall cases, a judge or jury may determine that the injured victim is partially responsible for failing to avoid the hazard that caused their injury. Nevertheless, California law allows these victims to recover compensation from the other party under comparative negligence. A slip and fall attorney can help you recover the maximum amount possible for your case.

What Causes Slip and Fall Accidents?

Slips, trips, and falls can have a host of causes. Some of the most common include:

• Spills on the floor in a restaurant or store
• Faulty steps at a business
• Uneven flooring
• Wet pavement near a swimming pool
• Lack of adherence to building codes
• Structural defects
• Improperly maintained construction sites
• Improper warning and signage
• Poorly maintained rental property
• Sidewalk disrepair
• Parking lot defects

For any of these defects to be considered a “dangerous condition,” a reasonable person must not expect to encounter them on a property, and a reasonable property owner must have had ample time to make the condition safe for visitors.

Common Slip and Fall Injuries

Slip and fall accidents can cause a range of injuries, which vary in severity depending on the age and physical condition of the victim. Tragically, adults over 65 are most likely to be seriously injured in a slip and fall accident. Common injuries incurred in slip and fall accidents include:

• Bruising and soft tissue damage
• Cuts and abrasions
• Sprained ankles or wrists
• Knee damage
• Broken bones
• Hip fractures
• Shoulder or neck injury
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

What If I Slip and Fall at Work?

According to the National Floor Safety Institute, slips and falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims in the United States. After reporting a slip and fall accident at work, your employer may encourage you to file a claim with their workers’ compensation insurance.

However, it’s best to speak with our Lancaster, CA slip and fall attorneys at PARRIS Law Firm before signing any workers’ compensation papers. Workers’ compensation, while vital to your recovery, will not allow you to recover damages for the pain and suffering you endured from your injuries. Depending on the facts of your case, you may have other recovery options—and if you do, you should take them.

Speaking with the PARRIS team is the best way to determine your options and make the best choice for your recovery.

Call us today for a free case review.

What Can I Recover in a Slip and Fall Injury Lawsuit?

If you or a family member was injured on property belonging to the government or a private business, you may be entitled to financial compensation based on your injuries. The types of damages you can recover include:

• Medical bills, including hospital visits, prescriptions, and ongoing care
• Property damage, such as a smashed phone
• Lost income due to missed work
• Psychological trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship damages for the victim’s spouse
• Punitive damages against the at-fault party if their conduct was particularly egregious

How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Lancaster, CA?

The statute of limitations to bring a slip and fall lawsuit against a private party in California is generally two years from the date of the accident. After the two-year mark, the victim may lose their right to file.

For cases against a government entity, this window is even shorter. Injured victims have only six months to contact a lawyer and file suit against the municipality responsible for their injuries.

It is absolutely crucial to contact a California slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. The sooner we get started on your case, the more information we can collect—and the closer you are to your recovery.

At PARRIS Law Firm, we take on the giants of the world with exceptional results for our clients. Don’t hesitate: call our slip and fall attorneys today for a free, ncall our Lancaster, CA slip and fall attorneys today for a free, no-obligation case review. You won’t pay any fees until we see victory.