Slip Trip and Fall Archive - Salamati Law Firm

What Are the Most Common Causes of Staircase Slip and Fall Accidents?

February 17, 2021 Slip Trip and Fall

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere. However, they are particularly common on staircases for a number of reasons. From

Male Worker Lying On Staircase After Slip And Fall Accident

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere. However, they are particularly common on staircases for a number of reasons. From faulty construction to inadequate maintenance, there are many factors that could lead to a fall in a stairwell.

If you have fallen on a staircase, you could be entitled to monetary compensation. That does not mean building a winning injury claim will be easy. By seeking the guidance of a Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer, you can put yourself in the best position to recover compensation for your injuries.

Poor Lighting

One of the most common causes of a slip and fall on the stairs can have nothing to do with the stairs themselves. Dim or inadequate lighting could make it difficult for you to navigate down a staircase safely. Often, poor lighting combines with other dangerous hazards to increase the chances of a serious injury. Some people that already struggle with depth perception could find it especially challenging to navigate dimly-lit staircases.

Lack of Handrails

Handrails are some of the most basic safety features on staircases. Handrails provide an individual with an option for steadying themselves as they ascend or descend. They also allow a person something to grab onto if they lose their balance. The lack of handrails is dangerous, as it removes one of the primary safety features available.

Poor Maintenance

Some staircases are not inherently dangerous. Instead, they become hazardous over time due to poor maintenance. Poor maintenance can manifest itself in many ways. One of the most common examples involves the accumulation of dirt, trash, or water. Thorough and regular cleaning can remove many of the most common risk factors for falls on a stairway.

Poor maintenance could also refer to the condition of the stairs themselves. Missing or broken steps pose a serious risk of injury. The same is true for loose or broken handrails. The failure to keep a staircase in a safe condition is a common cause for an injury claim after a fall.

Inadequate Design

In some cases, the design of the stairwell itself is inherently flawed. Examples of this could include stairs that are too shallow, too tall, or a combination of both. The material used in a staircase could also play a role. If the builder relied on material that is naturally slippery, a fall could become more likely.

Seek Legal Counsel After a Fall on a Staircase

If you have suffered injuries in a fall in a staircase, it might not be immediately obvious what caused the accident. Your attorney can carefully review the facts of your case to develop a theory of liability for your claim.

In many cases, your attorney can uncover evidence establishing that the building owner failed to adequately maintain the stairway in a reasonably safe manner. Let the attorneys of Salamati Law review your case and advise you on your options. Call as soon as possible to schedule your free consultation.

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How Social Media Can Harm Your Slip and Fall Case

February 10, 2021 Slip Trip and Fall

Social media posts, no matter how innocent or well-intentioned, can potentially hurt your slip and fall case if the opposing

Social media posts, no matter how innocent or well-intentioned, can potentially hurt your slip and fall case if the opposing side tries to use them to contradict your version of the accident, or to suggest that your injuries are not as serious as you claim. Despite being completely honest about your injury claim, and having evidence to prove it, if you post photos or other materials on social media that are open to misinterpretation, it could have the effect of creating doubt about your damages and undermining your case.

If you have been injured after slipping and falling, Los Angeles personal injury attorney Sean Salamati recommends that you proceed with caution when it comes to social media.

How Social Media Can Be Used Against You In a Lawsuit

Make no mistake, the defendant’s insurance company will assign someone to your case whose sole focus is minimizing the amount of your financial recovery for the injuries you sustained in a slip and fall accident. In general, the more severe and disabling your injuries are, the more your case will be worth. However, when slip and fall victims post updates, photos, or check-ins on social media that seem to contradict their claims or present themselves in a bad light, the value of their lawsuit may plummet if the defendant brings it to light. The defendant’s insurance company will find a way to monitor everything you post on social media and even posts by others that mention you or are shared with you, looking for the slightest bit of evidence they can use against you.

Examples of How Social Media Can Be Used to Undermine Your Case

If you are seeking damages for loss of enjoyment of life due to the injuries you have sustained in your accident, but then a photo pops up on social media that shows you out on the town having fun with your friends, it might call into question your credibility. Similarly, if you sustained a back injury in a slip and fall accident but your friend posts a video of the two of you running together, it might call into question the validity of your claim.

The Other Side May Have Access to Your Private Social Media Posts

To avoid these pitfalls, slip and fall plaintiffs may consider changing the settings on all their social media accounts to private, meaning only certain people will have access to their posts. While that is a wise step to take, savvy insurance companies and their investigators can still find a way to get access to your account. And if not, the defendant can always subpoena your social media posts, so the judge may order you to turn it all over to the opposition.

What Should You Do?

Perhaps the smartest and safest thing you can do while your slip and fall case is pending is to not post anything on social media and make sure that none of your loved ones share, mention, or tag you in any post. If you absolutely must post on social media, then be sure to avoid mentioning your case and limit your activity to liking other people’s posts and sharing links to news articles.

Given how much is at stake in your slip and fall case, it makes sense to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer at the Salamati Law Firm who knows the tactics that insurance company investigators will use to try to weaken your case, and can advise you how best to avoid any unnecessary social media pitfalls while your claim awaits resolution.

Choosing the right slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles matters when it comes to getting the compensation you need to cover medical bills and other expenses and getting your life back on track after a serious injury. Don’t leave money on the table. Take on the deep-pocketed insurance company with a lawyer who has spent over two decades building a reputation for integrity and results in cases just like yours. Call anytime, 24/7, for a free case review.

Can You Sue For a Slip and Fall if You Were Intoxicated?

February 9, 2021 Slip Trip and Fall

People often get seriously injured when they slip and fall. However, if someone was intoxicated, they may be too embarrassed

People often get seriously injured when they slip and fall. However, if someone was intoxicated, they may be too embarrassed to file a lawsuit with a slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles. It is important to note, though, that you can still sue the property owner as long as you can prove that they were negligent.

Common Arguments You Can Expect from the Property Owner

If you were intoxicated at the time, the property owner might argue that you fell because your vision, focus, coordination, balance, or judgment was impaired. While these arguments may have some merit to them, it still does not let the defendant off the hook.

What is Comparative Negligence?

California is a “comparative negligence” state, which means that the plaintiff in a slip and fall case can share some– or even most– of the blame and still receive financial compensation from the defendant. For example, if you were 50 percent at-fault for your slip and fall because you were intoxicated, you would still be eligible to recover 50 percent of your damages. So if you are suing for $1 million due to the severe injuries you sustained, you could still recover $500,000 despite sharing half of the blame.

Here is What You Need to Prove

To prove that the defendant was negligent, you will need to prove the following:

That the defendant owed you a duty of care—unless you were trespassing.
That the defendant breached this duty of care by causing or allowing a dangerous condition to exist on their property and not fixing it, blocking it off, or at the very least posting clear warning signs.
This dangerous condition is what caused you to slip. This is where the defendant might claim that you would not have slipped and fallen if you had been sober.
That you sustained serious injuries as a result of this accident.

The Right Attorney Will Know How to Handle Your Case

Slip and fall accidents where the plaintiff was intoxicated are complex. At Salamati Law, we always recommend hiring an experienced personal injury attorney who knows how to maximize your financial compensation. Even if you were intoxicated, it still does not excuse the property owner for negligence.

Call Today for a Free Consultation

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident while intoxicated, call Salamati Law today to book a free consultation. There are no upfront legal costs, as we work on a contingency-fee-basis.

Hip Fractures Carry Additional Risks for the Elderly

February 9, 2021 Slip Trip and Fall

According to research published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, hip fractures carry additional risks for the elderly,

According to research published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, hip fractures carry additional risks for the elderly, particularly those who are living alone after the accident. This study indicates that their mortality rate is higher. If you have fractured your hip in a slip and fall due to someone else’s negligence, contact us at Salamati Law to review your case

More Details on the Study

The survey above was conducted in Norway and examined male and female patients with a fractured hip in the period between 2002 and 2013. Over 12,000 men and over 22,000 women between the ages of 50 and 79 were studied. The researchers found that the survival rate after eight years was 43 percent for men and 61 percent for women who were living alone. In comparison, the survival rate was 51 percent for men and 67 percent for women when living with a partner.

What You Can Do to Combat this Trend

If your hip fracture was caused by another person’s negligence, whether in a nursing home or at a grocery store, the right attorney can help maximize your financial recovery for your damages. One key component of the damages is around-the-clock in-home care, if necessary. This would help ensure that you are as safe as possible to facilitate your rehabilitation and recovery.

Common Challenges That Hip Fracture Patients Face

Some of the essential needs for hip fracture patients following a slip and fall accident in a nursing home or on a slippery sidewalk include the following:

Staying up to date with all prescriptions
Eating a diet that promotes bone health
Physical therapy to regain strength
Regular emotional support to deal with the significant lifestyle changes from this injury

Contact us for a free consultation

Putting your case in the hands of a trusted and experienced Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer can maximize your financial compensation for your hip fracture. At Salamati Law, we have been representing some of the most vulnerable personal injury victims in Los Angeles and aggressively pursuing justice on their behalf for over a quarter of a century.

If you are a senior citizen who has fractured your hip, call Salamati Law today, and we will book your free initial consultation. There are no upfront legal costs, as we work on a contingency-fee-basis.

Who is Responsible for Slip and Fall Accidents at the Airport?

January 23, 2019 Slip Trip and Fall

Plane crashes and acts of terrorism are most likely to come to mind when you think of injuries at the

Traveler with suitcase in airport concept.Young girl walking with carrying luggage and passenger for tour travel booking ticket flight at international vacation time in holiday rest and relaxation.

Plane crashes and acts of terrorism are most likely to come to mind when you think of injuries at the airport or on planes. But many other, less violent accidents occur every day at airports and planes around the world. In fact, airports are prime locations for slip and fall accidents, given that they are typically chaotic places full of hectic passengers rushing to get to their gates on time. If you slipped, fell, and sustained in juries in an airport or on a plane, or if you sustained any other injuries from rogue food carts or falling baggage, it’s in your best interests to consult a slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles as soon as possible. Learn about your legal rights and determine if you could have the basis to file a lawsuit. You shouldn’t have to pay for injuries that were someone else’s fault.

What happens if you slip and fall at an airport?

Airport slip and fall cases can be particularly tricky, which is why it’s important to hire a personal injury lawyer who has extensive experience in this area. These cases are complicated by the presence of multiple businesses within the airport. In any given airport, there can be dozens of restaurants, shops, and similar establishments. The question of who is at fault for your injury depends on exactly where you were in the airport when you slipped and fell.

For example, if you were dining at an eatery and slipped on some liquid that a waiter had left on the floor, then the lawsuit may be filed against that eatery. But if you were injured in a main area of the airport, away from an individual establishment, then you may file the lawsuit against the airport itself. On the other hand, if you tripped and fell on an uneven airplane ramp, then the lawyer might determine that it’s most appropriate to file the claim against the airline responsible for maintaining that ramp.

What happens if you’re injured on a plane?

Airlines are legally responsible for doing everything possible to ensure the safety of all passengers. That includes ensuring a safe passage down each aisle. In some cases, a slip and fall on an airplane may be found to be the fault of the airline itself. Even in cases of “acts of God,” such as in-flight turbulence, the airline might be held liable if it’s determined that the pilot failed to check the weather conditions or that the attendants failed to properly advise passengers to fasten their seatbelts when appropriate.

Where to find legal help in Los Angeles, California

Learn about your legal options and rights, and get your case evaluated by an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney. The Salamati Law Firm has been helping accident victims in Los Angeles for more than 20 years. Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer Sean Salamati provides vigorous legal representation in and out of the courtroom to ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other losses. Call the Salamati Law Firm at 855-338-0812 today to find out if you may have a case.

Additional resources for slip and fall victims:

Travel Channel, How to Stay Safe at the Airport, https://www.travelchannel.com/roam-blog/news-deals/how-to-stay-safe-at-the-airport
Quartzy, Overstuffed Carry-On Bags Are Causing a Serious Safety Hazard, Say Flight Attendants, https://qz.com/quartzy/1289295/the-basic-economy-era-heavier-carry-on-luggage-has-increased-risks-on-board/

Can I Sue for Loss of Income After a Slip and Fall Injury?

December 18, 2018 Slip Trip and Fall

One of the often-overlooked areas of damages after a slip and fall accident is lost wages. Under California law, an

A court gavel on 100 bills - legal concept One of the often-overlooked areas of damages after a slip and fall accident is lost wages. Under California law, an injured party is allowed to sue to recover of both past income and future lost earnings. Contacting a Los Angeles personal injury attorney to help you better understand your rights and what you need to prove will help you secure full compensation for your lost wages after a slip and fall accident.

Lost income and lost earning capacity

What is known as “lost wages” is both the lost earnings that have already taken place at the time of the settlement or trial, and the lost earning capacity. “Lost earning capacity” is the reduction in the amount that the plaintiff will likely make in the future due to the accident.

Understandably, lost income is easier to understand and prove since it is based on losses that have already occurred. However, with documentation and witnesses, it is possible for a personal injury attorney to establish a strong case for reduced earning capacity when warranted.

Calculating lost wages

It is important to have abundant evidence of your earnings history, whether you seek past income or future lost wages. You will need documentation and even testimony from your employer of salary, overtime, commissions, bonuses, vacation days, and valuable benefits, both to show what you have received in the past and what you have missed out and will miss out on because of your injury.

For those who are self-employed, establishing income can be a little trickier. Producing tax returns for the past few years can establish your history of earnings but may cause confidential information to be made public through the courts. Letters from those you do business with that verify your amount of work, rate of pay, and length of time you were unable to work after the accident may be an option when privacy is desired. Speak with a California personal injury lawyer to determine the best way to establish lost income in your situation.

Proving lost earning capacity

It is one thing to show what wages you have lost and will lose out on. It is another to show that you cannot work for some amount of time. Naturally, if you are the claimant then you have the burden of presenting evidence to show this.

A way to meet your burden of proof is to offer the testimony of both lay witnesses and experts. These can include your doctors and therapists to explain the effect the injury has had on your ability to work, family or friends to explain the impact that the fall has had on your ability to participate in work and other activities, and even an economist to explain expected rise in salary over time given your industry and work experience.

Understand your rights after a slip and fall in Southern California

If you have slipped or tripped on someone someone else’s property and believe someone else’s negligence may have been the cause, discuss your case with a Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer at Salamati Law. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.

Additional CA lost wages resources:

Justia, California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI) 3903C. Past and Future Lost Earnings (Economic Damage), https://www.justia.com/trials-litigation/docs/caci/3900/3903c/
The Center for Forensic Economic Studies – Determining the Lost Earning Capacity of Injured Business Owners, http://cfes.com/determining-the-lost-earning-capacity-of-injured-business-owners/

How Do I Choose a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Los Angeles?

November 29, 2018 Slip Trip and Fall

It’s a safe bet that everyone is prone to a little clumsiness from time to time. But sometimes, people fall

It’s a safe bet that everyone is prone to a little clumsiness from time to time. But sometimes, people fall and sustain serious injuries because of the negligence or recklessness of another person. If you were injured on someone else’s property, or on public property, you may have the basis for a personal injury lawsuit. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case and advise you about the potential for a legal claim. Choosing the right slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles is crucial, so it’s worth taking the time to do a little background research to ensure you pick the right personal injury attorney.

Extensive experience with personal injury lawsuits

It goes without saying that it’s best to choose a personal injury lawyer in downtown Los Angeles who has litigated these types of cases before. For slip and fall cases in particular, it’s helpful to choose a law firm that has litigated claims in both state and federal courts, as premises liability lawsuits may name governmental entities as defendants.

Law firm resources, legal team, and consultants

Personal injury lawsuits can be complicated. Slip and fall cases often require evaluation and input by outside professionals, such as accident reconstruction experts, investigators, and medical specialists. Look for a personal injury attorney that has established relationships with these types of outside consultants, and has the resources necessary to bring them on board for your case.

Commitment to ongoing communication and client education

Some lawyers have developed a reputation for being difficult to get ahold of on the phone. If you’re stressed about your case and your mounting medical bills, the last thing you need is a lawyer who never picks up the phone. Look for a law firm that is committed to keeping you apprised of the status of your case. Your slip and fall lawyer should also fully inform you of the legal issues involved. Client education is essential for good decision making.

An overview of slip and fall incidents in southern California

A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere. If it happens on someone else’s property, the property owner or manager may be held liable for your injuries, depending on the circumstances. Some common places for slip and fall injuries in the CA area include restaurants and bars, since liquids may be spilled on the floor frequently, creating a hazardous condition. Museums, malls, shopping centers, retail stores, sidewalks, parking lots, government buildings, and office buildings are other common locations of slip and fall accidents, as are apartment complexes and nursing homes.

The Salamati Law Firm in Los Angeles is a leading choice among slip and fall victims because of our personalized approach, attentive service, and long track record of successfully recovering compensation on behalf of our clients. Our slip and fall lawyers in Los Angeles provide reliable legal guidance so that you can make a smart decision in the wake of an accident. Our legal team may help you recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us today to set up an initial consultation.

Additional resources about slip and fall accidents

Medscape, Falls in the Elderly: Causes, Injuries, and Management, https://reference.medscape.com/features/slideshow/falls-in-the-elderly
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Important Facts about Falls, https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html

Who Is Liable for Slip and Fall Injuries in Hospitals in California?

October 25, 2018 Premises Liability Lawsuits, Slip Trip and Fall

Hospitals are a place to visit for medical care and healing but they can also lead to injuries. Both patients

Hospitals are a place to visit for medical care and healing but they can also lead to injuries. Both patients and visitors can experience on-site injuries from slip and fall accidents. When this happens, the next logical question is, who is liable? For a few reasons, the answer is not completely straightforward.

Types of hospital slips and falls

From slick floors to liquid substances to medical carts that obstruct paths to unsecured carpet tiles to medication errors, there are many reasons a patient or visitor could slip and fall in a hospital. Depending on the circumstances, the underlying reason could be general negligence or professional negligence, each carrying a different statute of limitations, limit of damages recoverable, and burden of proof.

Ordinary negligence slip and falls

A defendant may be liable in a premises liability claim when it knew of should have known of a hazard but failed to issue a warning or fix the hazard. The plaintiff bears the burden of proving that the defendant or his or her employees acted unreasonably.

A slip and fall victim has two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under an ordinary negligence theory. However, there could be a shorter notice period to meet before filing a claim if the fall occurred at a government-owned hospital.

Professional malpractice in California hospital claims

Many slips and falls in hospitals are the result of medical malpractice or other professional malpractice. For example, medication errors that impair a patient’s stability could be the result of medical malpractice. However, California authorities have deemed it professional negligence to fail to maintain any equipment necessary for treatment or care. This broadens the net of professional malpractice to many surfaces within a hospital.

California professional liability lawsuits must be filed within one year of discovery. Plaintiffs also need to hire an expert witness to prove the defendant did not meet the necessary standard of care for a professional in that industry. Further, under California’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), damages are limited.

Who pays when the hospital is responsible?

Who is liable for a hospital fall will depend on the facts. Often the hospital is liable but if the doctor made a mistake, a separate company that employs the doctor could be on the hook. If the fall was caused by ordinary negligence, another party, like a cleaning crew responsible for the premises, could also be to blame.

This is less clear-cut than it sounds; some hospitals are privately-owned, some are part of a regional medical chain, and some even operate under contract by the federal government, meaning claims would need to comply with tort liability procedures under federal statutes.

Recovery for hospital slips and falls in Southern California

When you or a loved one has suffered an injury on someone else’s property, you need experienced counsel who will fight for your rights. This is especially necessary when battling the red tape involved in a hospital slip and fall. Salamati Law has dedicated the past two decades to fighting for the rights of those injured in CA. Call today to speak with a slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles at Salamati Law today.

Additional hospital slip and fall resources:

Micra.org, Provisions of MICRA, http://micra.org/specifics-of-micra/provisions-of-micra/
S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Claims Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, https://www.va.gov/OGC/FTCA.asp

October 16, 2018 Slip Trip and Fall

People who have slipped and fallen might not be sure what to do right after the accident happens. In fact,

People who have slipped and fallen might not be sure what to do right after the accident happens. In fact, they may want to get to a doctor right away, especially if they are bleeding or feel they have broken a bone, twisted an ankle, or otherwise hurt themselves. A personal injury lawyer can help advise you on your next steps.

Gather a Record of the Conditions and Your Injuries

While it’s very wise to go to a doctor as one of the first steps, because getting treatment is highly important for your health and recovery, you also need to make sure that you have a record of what occurred and have alerted the proper authorities. So don’t delay getting medical attention, but make sure that you have pictures or notes on what happened in the immediate aftermath.

Why? Well, if you want to recover damages in a trial or settlement to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and more, the fact is, a court will need evidence of what happened. In fact, your doctor or hospital visit will be part of the evidence, because any doctor or hospital will keep records of your injuries and the treatment advised. This will be a crucial part of the case that your Los Angeles personal injury attorney will help you make in court.

For the victim of a slip and fall accident to receive damages, the court must find the other party negligent. That means a party, such as a landlord or store owner, had a duty of care to keep a specific area safe, should have known if it had become unsafe, had enough time to make it safe, and didn’t.

The fact is, many negligent parties will try to argue that the party injured in a slip and fall caused it themselves. They may claim that an area, such as a broken sidewalk or slippery floor, wasn’t dangerous. They may argue that it was clearly marked or surrounded with cones indicating it wasn’t to be walked on.

And they may win, unless you have evidence.

What You Should Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

So here some steps to follow in the immediate aftermath of a slip and fall in California.

1. Take pictures of your injuries

Take pictures of your injuries with your smartphone. Bruises, cuts, torn clothing – anything that injured you and shows impact.

2. Take pictures of the area

Take pictures of the area where you slipped and fell, from all angles. Don’t wait until it is cleared away and cleaned up.

3. Get the contact information of any witnesses

If anyone saw you slip and fall or witnessed the area where you fell, get their contact information.

4. Contact the manager if it’s a retail establishment

If your slip and fall accident occurs in a retail establishment like a store or restaurant, contact the manager before you leave. The manager needs to know of the dangerous area. Also, a court might wonder if you leave without reporting it.

Slip and Fall Injury in the Los Angeles Area? Call Sean Salamati

Sean Salamati is an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles. Sean will fight for your rights if you have been hurt because of someone else’s negligence. Call today for a free consultation. We charge no fees unless we win money for you.

Additional Resources:

National Restaurant Association. Don’t Trip Up: Preventing Slips and Falls. https://www.restaurant.org/Manage-My-Restaurant/Operations/Back-of-House/Dont-trip-up-Preventing-slips-and-falls
National Safety Council. Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Training. https://www.nsc.org/safety-training/workplace/slips-trips-and-falls

What Are the Most Common Slip and Fall Accidents?

October 2, 2018 Slip Trip and Fall

In the movies, someone slipping on a banana peel is a time-tested laugh-getter. In real life, slipping and falling can

In the movies, someone slipping on a banana peel is a time-tested laugh-getter. In real life, slipping and falling can be serious indeed. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 33,381 people died as a result of unintentional falls last year. Each year, 25% of people over the age of 65 fall. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury and death in workplaces like construction sites. As any slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles can tell you, these kinds of accidents happen far too often.

The consequences of slipping and falling can range from a twisted ankle to spinal cord or head injuries that can impair functioning and mobility for the rest of one’s life.

It stands to reason that people need to be careful about slipping and falling. But where do slips and falls mostly commonly take place? Here are four places where slip and fall accidents are most frequent.

1. Sidewalks

Sidewalks are built to facilitate safe walking. Unfortunately, sidewalks that are not well maintained may develop cracks and may deteriorate, making walking dangerous. Weeds can even start poking through the sidewalk, which will cause it to crack even more. It’s easy to trip and fall on a poorly maintained sidewalk.

2. Wet floors in stores and restaurants

Wet floors can easily cause patrons of stores and restaurants to slip and fall. In stores, wet floors can be caused by slipped liquid from a product — or even from someone’s spilled water bottle. In restaurants, servers or patrons may inadvertently spill beverages. Cleaning such as mopping or waxing will also make a floor wet.

Store managers and employees should move to place warning cones around a wet floor, and should clean up the area quickly.

3. Workplaces

Slips and falls are frequent in workplaces. On construction sites, for example, workers frequently are employed at high altitudes and walls or stairs that might make falling impossible in a finished building may not yet be completed.

Poorly maintained workplaces where floors are piled high with equipment, boxes, or even debris can also cause slip and fall accidents.

4. Stairs, Escalators, and Elevators

Areas where movement from one story to another take place are frequent sites of slip and fall accidents. Stairs that are poorly maintained, lack banisters, or have old or torn carpet can be especially dangerous. So can escalators that have been shut down — if they start abruptly again, people can be caught or thrown as they try to climb up. Similarly, elevators that have stopped and then start again can cause a fall to passengers. Both incidents can result in a trip to the hospital and a call to your local personal injury lawyer.

When You Need a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Southern California

California law is very clear on premises liability. Property owners are responsible for maintaining the safety of their buildings and grounds. If an area is dangerous, or if they should have known it was dangerous, they must fix the unsafe condition. Failure to do so is negligence, and a court can find them responsible for accidents that happen in the Los Angeles area due to lack of reasonably safe conditions.

If you feel you or a loved one was the victim of a slip and fall due to the negligence of another, please call experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney Sean Salamati today. There is no charge to you for an initial consultation, and you owe us no money unless we win money for you.

Additional Resources:

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Workplace Solutions. Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls in Wholesale and Retail Trade Establishments. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-100/pdfs/2013-100.pdf
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics. Accidents or Unintentional Injuries. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/accidental-injury.htm