Yuba City SLIP AND FALL LAWYER

Slip, trip and fall accidents can occur in many different ways. Some of the most common include:

• Wet/slippery walkways
• Inadequate lighting
• Wet floors with no warning signs
• Property defects such as broken stairs or hand railing
• Unpainted curbs
• Improper sidewalks
• Obstructed pathways

We can get out and hire investigators and experts to determine who is at fault and whether your case is strong. If you have been hurt on someone else’s property do not delay and contact us today for your always free initial consultation!

Although slip and fall accidents lead to severe injuries, many insurance companies tend to look for ways to pay less than you are entitled to in such a case. If you are looking for a Yuba City slip and fall accident lawyer to build a better case, then you have come to the right place. We, at the Law Offices of Steve Gimblin, possess several years of experience in handling claims for slip and fall accident victims. You can read some of our client testimonials here.

Slip and fall accidents can result in broken bones, like fractures in the wrist, arm, hip, and ankle. In some cases, it can lead to severe injuries to the head as well. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries or (TBI) in people. For people over the age of 65, it can also lead to death. If you have been injured and confused about moving forward with a claim, then we have got you covered. In the following sections, we will cover everything there is to know about a slip and fall accident.

Is Slip and Fall Accidents Covered By California Liability Laws?

A slip and fall accident is usually covered under the premises liability laws of California. However, all slip and fall accidents do not lead to a liability. To claim damages in case of a fall, it should have been caused by negligence from someone else. Someone can be held liable for a slip and fall accident if they had knowledge about the hazardous conditions prevailing in a property owned or controlled by them. They are also held responsible for negligence if they fail to repair, give adequate warning and provide protection against hazardous conditions.

In the state of California, some common causes for slip and fall liability are –

• Uneven flooring
• Loose carpets
• Leaks in the plumbing
• Spills
• Furniture that is broken
• Missing or broken railings
• Cords or cables that have been left uncovered
• No warning signs for hazards
• Improper roping off of construction sites

Liability for Slip and Fall Accident in California

When someone enters a property, the people owning the property are liable to protect them from harm. This also applies to people who are leasing, occupying, or controlling the property. In the state of California, the insurers and the parent companies can also be held liable for paying damages to the injured people in the case of a slip and fall accident. The accident could be because of any of the aforementioned reasons. The main condition for liability is the factors contributing to negligence, which have already been covered.

What needs to be proved for recovering damages in a slip and fall accident?

If you are involved in a slip and fall accident and filing a claim for damages, it is important to prove a few things –

• The site if the accident was owned, occupied, leased, or controlled by the defendant.
• There was negligence on part of the defendant in the maintenance or use of the property.
• That you were harmed by falling or slipping on the premises.
• The negligence on part of the defendant was a major factor in the cause of the accident.

A premises liability lawyer can help you in building a strong case for securing the claim and proving the conditions of the slip and fall accident.

What damages can be claimed for a slip and fall accident?

If the property owner was found to be negligent, the plaintiff can claim compensation for the damages. The compensatory damages can cover loss of wages and earning capacity, bills of medical treatment, rehabilitation, besides suffering and pain caused by the accident. In some cases, the plaintiff can also claim punitive damages after filing a lawsuit for a slip and fall accident. Punitive damages are applicable when the accident results in wrongful death and catastrophic injuries because of recklessness on part of the property owner.

Statute of Limitations

In the state of California, the statute of limitations in the case of a slip and fall accident is usually 2 years from the exact date of the accident. In certain cases, however, the statute of limitations can be suspended or ‘tolled’. They can be tolled if the property owner has to be out of the state of California for some amount of time. Another reason it can be suspended is when the injured plaintiff is a child under 18 years of age.

How is the defendant’s fault proved in a slip and fall accident?

A slip and fall accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Steve Gimblin can help you in winning the case of personal injury. The key is to prove that the fall was a result of the negligence on part of the defendant. For proving such a case, it is important to collect evidence in the form of –

• Video footage
• Treatment notes from the doctors
• Statements from the witnesses
• Accident reconstruction experts’ testimonies

Is it hard to prove the defendant’s fault in slip and fall accident cases?

In some cases, proving the fault of the defendant can be quite hard. This is because the persons entering the property are also required to exercise caution and keep awareness of their surroundings. Many insurance companies and property owners tend to argue that the victim of the accident was partially to blame for the accident. Some of the common arguments used in such cases are –

• That the plaintiff was possibly distracted.
• That the plaintiff entered an off-limits area.
• That the footwear worn by the plaintiff was the cause of the fall.

Given these issues, it is important to build a strong case with adequate evidence and witnesses to claim the damages for the slip and fall accident. Contact us today to get a free consultation.

Why do you need a Yuba City slip and fall accident lawyer?

Hiring a Yuba City slip and fall accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Steve Gimblin is the right move as negotiating with the adjusters at insurance companies is not an easy task. Managing settlements is an everyday task for them, and they are often trained to close the claim quickly. They often pay a lesser amount than you are entitled to. If you have suffered serious injuries as a result of a slip and fall accident in Yuba City, California, you can contact us today. With expert advice and help from investigators, we will build you a strong case to recover the damages. At the Law Offices of Steve Gimblin, our clients are always our highest priority.