A slip and fall accident happens out of the blue– and it can impact your life for a long time – perhaps permanently. After seeking medical attention for your injuries, your next step should involve seeking legal assistance. Trying to represent yourself in a slip and fall claim against a property owner is likely to get you nowhere. The property owner’s insurance adjuster is not going to take your side.
Slip and fall is a complicated area of law. Even in the most clear-cut cases, the property owner or their insurance company will fight any claims and allege you were liable. Many of these accidents happen at large shopping malls, hospitals, hotels, and other properties. Not only are you facing a battle with major insurance companies, but more than one entity may prove liable. Your attorney will determine which parties are responsible, protect your rights and negotiate with the insurance company.
A Los Angeles slip and fall injury attorney at Salamati Law will hold the property owner accountable and fight to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation for your injury.
Premises Liability
Slip and fall accidents fall under the category of premises liability. By law, the owner or manager of a property is required to maintain it safely. For a claim to go forward, establishing fault is imperative. In California, that means proving the property owner was negligent. A seasoned lawyer knows how to prove slip and fall liability based on the evidence.
Documentation and evidence is key to any successful case. Investigating a slip and fall injury on your own, especially during recuperation, is quite difficult. Your lawyer can help you collect necessary evidence. That might involve obtaining surveillance tapes of the incident or interviewing eyewitnesses. This is why it is crucial to hire a professional as soon as possible.
Your lawyer will also go over the circumstances leading up to the slip and fall, which can help your claim. For example, questions might arise about the shoes you were wearing, whether you were carrying anything, or if you were on the phone or texting when the fall occurred. Was the floor wet or damaged? If you tripped on the stairs, was there a handrail and adequate lighting? Were the steps evenly spaced? A fall in a parking lot or driveway might focus on broken or uneven pavement.
Slip and Fall Damages
A lawyer can establish the damages incurred by your slip and fall. These may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future lost earnings– if the fall was severe enough to impair or disable you. They will ensure that all possible losses are included. That means carefully documenting every aspect of treatment and recovery. It will consist of all medical bills, including transportation to and from doctor’s offices. In addition, you must supply employment records showing the injury caused a loss of income.
Your lawyer knows the extent of your injuries and how they impact your life now and in the future. You may not need a lawyer if your injury was minor, but you need legal counsel if the injuries were severe. A property owner and their insurance company will try to downplay the seriousness, so your lawyer must show the injuries were as debilitating as alleged.
Contact our team of Los Angeles Slip and Fall Lawyers
If you or someone you know was injured because of a property owner’s negligence, you need the services of an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles at Salamati Law. Call or text us today to arrange a free consultation or fill out our online form.
After reviewing your claim, we will let you know whether you have grounds for a lawsuit. While most slip and fall cases are settled, we will take your claim to court if necessary. Since we work on a contingency basis, there is never a fee unless you receive compensation. Se Habla Español.
