Sacramento Slip and Fall Lawyers

Injured in a slip and fall accident?

Call The Heavy Hitters^TM!

Award-winning Sacramento Slip and Fall Attorneys

Our slip and fall attorneys have over decades of experience successfully fighting on behalf of those injured. We work to get you and your family to get the maximum compensation.

Everyone has tripped on a curb or slipped on the ice at some point in their life. Usually, we catch ourselves, get a little bit embarrassed, and keep going; however, sometimes a slip and fall can cause serious injuries that leave you in pain and require medical treatment.

If your fall occurred away from home – on public or private property – your injuries could be the result of negligence and the responsible party or parties should be held liable.

What to Do if You Slip and Fall

If you slip and fall somewhere outside of your home, the first step to take is to seek medical attention. If you are seriously injured and can reach your phone, call 911. Many fall victims will get right back up and only feel slightly hurt at the time of the fall; however, you may have internal injuries that will not appear until the shock of the fall has worn off from. Within 24 – 48 hours after falling, you may start feeling more pain and stiffness as a result of the fall. This is incredibly common and the moment you start to feel pain you should seek medical treatment so the injury can be treated.

Immediately after a fall, if you are able to, take pictures of the area and the cause of your fall. If there are witnesses, get their contact information. If this occurs at a place of business, report the incident to the management and get a copy of any official report they make. If you are unable to do any of these things after your fall, have a family member or trusted friend help gather this information.

Depending on the severity of your accident, you may be looking at costly medical bills for current and ongoing treatment, lost wages, and the inability to care for yourself or others. You might think that nothing can be done to help you recover financially after a slip and fall. If you fell at a store, the store may be liable for a customer’s injuries. If you fell on private or government property, it may be the result of the property owner’s failure to provide a safe environment.

Contacting an experienced slip and fall attorney will help you navigate the process of pursuing legal action against the party who has been negligent in the upkeep of their property.

If their negligence caused your accident, we will fight to recover compensation for economic damages – including your bills and lost income – as well as non-economic damages like emotional trauma. In some slip and fall cases, we may be able to pursue punitive damages, which are intended to punish the party who caused your accident for their gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing. While rare in slip and fall cases, punitive damages can be pursued if the responsible party took steps to deceive or hurt the victim.

Slip and Fall Causes and Injuries

Many hazards can cause someone to slip, trip, fall, and become seriously injured. Common hazards include slippery surfaces, uneven ground or sidewalks, unsafe cables or wiring on the ground, and other dangerous items. Carpet that was improperly installed, tiles that are broken, or flooring with some other defect can also cause a person to trip and fall. Many slip and fall accidents occur on stairs, escalators, and ramps that are not properly maintained or are not up to code. There are specific regulations governing the maintenance of stairs, escalators, and ramps, including having appropriate lighting and handrails.

The severity of injuries from a fall varies depending on how hard and far the person fell. Many people receive minor cuts and bruises that do not require more than typical first aid. Cuts and scrapes can be more severe and require stitches. If a cut or scrape is not properly treated, an infection can occur. More serious slip and fall injuries can include broken bones, fractures, sprains, strains, dislocated joints, and ligament tears. Head injuries including concussions, bruising, bleeding, and traumatic brain injuries are also common for those who fall and hit their head on a hard surface. The severity of injuries resulting from a slip and fall or trip and fall also depends on how the person lands when falling. If the person lands on their spine, for example, their injuries may range from mild back pain to chronic back pain and lifelong paralysis.

California Slip and Fall Accidents

Curtis Legal Group is ready to fight for you and hold the people responsible for your slip and fall accountable for the resulting damages. We will meet with you to discuss what happened, collect evidence, and determine whose negligence caused your injuries. We will fight to get you maximum compensation for your injuries. Our team knows how to fight with corporations and insurance companies – we do it everyday. These entities do not have your best interests at heart and do not want to provide the full payment you truly deserve. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident due to the fault of a property owner, contact Curtis Legal Group today at 1-800-LAW-3080.  We will take the burden of this accident off your shoulders so you can focus on a full recovery.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Accidents

What qualifies as a slip and fall accident?

Slip and falls can happen anywhere – parking lots, sidewalks, carpeted or tiled areas indoors, playgrounds, office buildings, shopping malls, and more. A slip and fall accident is the act of slipping (or tripping) and falling on someone’s property and causing injury to one’s self.

A slip and fall accident may bring to mind someone slipping and falling on a wet floor, for example; but they can be caused by may other scenarios, such as:

• Uneven surfaces
• Loose floorboards or tiles
• Potholes in parking lots
• Icy walkways
• Exposed cords or wires
• Broken handrails
• Bad lighting

Most of the time slip and fall accidents are not the fault of the injured person, but rather due to the neglect of those who own or maintain the property.

What should I do after a slip and fall accident?

The steps you take after a slip and fall accident will vary based on your injuries. If you can, you should:

• Take pictures. If possible, take pictures of the areas surrounding where you fell – and the immediate cause of the fall.
• Gather witness information. Gather the names and contact information of any witnesses who were in the area and witnessed the accident and/or saw your injuries.
• Seek medical attention. You always want to seek medical attention after a slip and fall. Even if your injuries seem minor, you could have more severe internal injuries that aren’t immediately felt.
• Contact Curtis Legal Group. As your California slip and fall lawyers, we will focus on getting you the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing.

If you are seriously hurt, you should always immediately call 911.

How long do I have to report a slip and fall?

According to Section 335.1 of the California Code of Civil Procedure, you have two (2) years from the date of the slip and fall to file a claim. Though, the sooner you move forward with your claim, the fresher the event will be in everyone’s minds, the better preserved the evidence, and the sooner you will receive compensation and closure.

If the injury occurred on a government-controlled property – such as a school, park, courthouse, or other government building, you must take action within six (6) months of the date of the incident. 

How long do I have to see a doctor after a slip and fall?

No law states specifies how quickly you must see a doctor after a slip and fall; however, it is often advised that medical attention should be sought within the first 72 hours if not immediately following the accident.

Is a slip and fall considered a personal injury?

Yes. A slip and fall accident is absolutely considered a personal injury and all of the damages available to injury victims are potentially available to you as a victim in this type of case. 

How long do slip and fall settlements take?

There are a lot of factors that may impact the timeline for settlements. Some slip and fall settlements may be offered by the responsible party or parties as early as a few months after the incident, while others may take a few years. Proving liability when it is not straightforward can cause a case to take a bit longer. And determining damages can involve a lot of records, expert testimony, and other such items, which can lead to an extended settlement process.

The professionals from Curtis Legal Group have the experience to help move your case through the process efficiently while ensuring you get the maximum compensation.

How many slip and fall cases go to trial?

It is estimated that only 2% of these cases will make it to trial. Most slip and fall cases are resolved by settlement before trial.

What do I need to win a slip and fall case in California?

If you are injured in a slip and fall and decide to file a claim, you are going to need to know what it takes to win a case in California.

• Document If you can, take pictures of the injuries and the accident site. Also, gather witness information.
• Do not sign anything. You will likely be contacted by the other party rather quickly after the accident. And, their insurance company will most likely try to get you to sign documents to settle to avoid legal action. Do not sign anything without having a lawyer review it first.
• Get seen by medical professionals and follow their advice.
• Contact Curtis Legal Group.

Contact the Sacramento Slip and Fall Lawyers at Curtis Legal Group today for a Free Consultation.

Having an experienced slip and fall attorney on your side is one of the best steps you can take to win your in California.