Pursue Restitution with the Help of a Slip and Fall Lawyer
Shopping malls draw crowds of people to one centralized place for a combined experience of dining, amusement, and shopping. These malls offer great convenience but are also teeming with dangers that could lead to catastrophic slip-and-fall accidents.
The truth is that slip-and-fall accidents aren’t as uncommon as you might think. In fact, fall accident statistics from the National Floor Safety Institute show that over 3 million food service staff and more than 1 million visitors are injured in restaurant-related accidents.
An accomplished Los Angeles slip and fall attorney can provide you with the answers to the many legal problems that these unfortunate incidents bring regarding the parties that can be held liable when customers suffer serious injuries.
At Ehline Law Firm, we assist people who have suffered slip-and-fall injuries at Los Angeles’s shopping malls, retail establishments, theaters, and other commercial areas. You can rely on our slip-and-fall accident lawyers to get you the compensation you rightly deserve.
Book your free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today!
A person can slip and fall for a number of reasons. If the floor is wet, for example, or the flooring materials are damaged.
Here are some of the most common reasons why slip and fall accidents occur:
- Slippery floors
- Loose carpets
- Cluttered walkways
- Broken steps or poorly constructed staircases
- Lack of warning signs
- Loose floorboards or damaged flooring
- Torn carpets
- Potholes in parking lots.
All property owners in California are required by law to take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of their visitors. Typically, this entails maintaining the property well and ensuring it is safe.
This means that shopping mall owners are required to alert the relevant owner or tenant to hazards they know about or should be aware of. When a property owner neglects this duty and a slip and fall accident occurs, they could be held liable, as this is considered negligence.
However, it isn’t only the property owner’s job to ensure that the mall is safe for consumers.
The following parties may also be responsible for damages:
- Tenants leasing commercial space
- Contractors that are responsible for upkeep and repairs
- Property management companies
In some cases, more than one party could be liable.
Schedule a free consultation with a slip-and-fall accident lawyer to learn more about liability in your unique case.
Proving Liability in a Slip and Fall Case
When proving liability in a slip-and-fall case, it is up to the injured party to confirm that the defendant neglected to do everything reasonably practical to keep the plaintiff safe on his or her property.
Demonstrating that the defendant caused a risk or neglected to conduct the necessary inspections that could have prevented the accident would be one way to do this.
The key to proving negligence in a shopping mall slip and fall accident is proving that the third party was aware of a potential hazard and did nothing to make the area safe or put up warning signs.
Keep in mind that if you slipped on a drink that spilled right in front of you, for example, you would not have grounds for a slip-and-fall claim.
California is a Pure Comparative Negligence State
If the fall was partially caused by your own carelessness, you may still pursue a lawsuit against the property owner for the part they played in the incident. Still, your compensation may be lowered in proportion to your negligence.
California allows injured individuals to receive compensation even if they contributed 99 percent to the incident since it is a pure comparative negligence state. The sum given will then be reduced per your degree of fault for the accident.
Common Injuries Sustained in Slip and Fall Accidents
Shopping mall slip and fall accidents in Los Angeles can cause injuries that range in severity from mild to severe.
You can turn to an experienced Los Angeles slip-and-fall lawyer to help you recover financial compensation to cover the cost of your treatment.
In the section below, we’ll explore some of these common injuries in greater detail.
Hip Fractures
Surgical procedures and extended hospital stays are frequently needed for hip fractures that are caused by trip and fall accidents.
Shoulder Injuries
Accidents involving a fall may also cause shoulder dislocations or more serious shoulder injuries affecting the nerves that supply the arm, chest, and shoulder. These wounds are frequently treated surgically, then with intensive physical rehabilitation.
Head, Neck, and Back Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can cause serious problems, such as permanent disability and sensory impairments. Moreover, head injuries may also occur, and the effects range from mild contusions to more serious brain damage.
Fractures and Sprains
Sprains and fractures are other common fall injuries. The impact of hitting the ground may cause sprains in some situations, crippling bone fractures in others, and temporary impairment in some cases. Victims often suffer ankle, hip, arm, spine, and pelvis fractures after a fall.
Steps to Take After a Los Angeles Slip and Fall Accident
The steps you take immediately after the accident often have an impact on the outcome of the case. You can use this opportunity to collect as much evidence as possible to support your claim. Here are some of the steps you can take:
1. Get Medical Attention
These accidents can cause serious injury, so it is essential to seek medical treatment following a slip and fall. Moreover, your healthcare records will serve as proof that you sustained injuries as a result of the incident.
2. Create an Incident Report at the Mall
This will also serve as evidence that the accident occurred. It is important that you receive a copy of the report.
3. Take Pictures of the Scene
The property owner may try to replace, remove, or cover the dangerous environment right after your fall and argue that it was there when you were hurt.
This is why taking pictures of the scene can be very helpful in retail personal injury claims. It may also help to have photographic evidence of your injuries.
4. Talk to Witnesses
Bystanders can provide key witness testimonies to support your claim, so be sure to take down their contact details for future reference.
5. Request Information from the Owner
Another essential thing to do after an accident at a shopping mall is to obtain details about the property owner’s insurance company.
Your Attorney Will Also Help to Gather Evidence
Retaining all proof of lost income and medical bills is also important. Your slip and fall attorney will gather other evidence in the form of expert witness testimonies, surveillance footage, and agreements between the property owners and tenants.
Damages in a Slip and Fall Lawsuit
When it comes to filing a personal injury claim for a slip and fall incident, the plaintiff must be ready to demonstrate both the defendant’s negligence and the value of the damages.
We assist victims in establishing each of these aspects and demonstrating their right to maximum compensation by working with our own investigators and expert witnesses.
Here are some examples of damages that you may be entitled to following this type of accident:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering.
Statute of Limitations in California
A victim of personal injuries in California has just two years to take legal action against the at-fault party. While waiting until they are fully recovered before filing a claim might appear to be a long time, doing so can be harmful to your case.
The healing process might take longer than two years, and if you wait any further, the claim might be deemed void if your delay was not justified by an exemption to the statute of limitations.
Hiring an Attorney As Soon As Possible Can Make a World of Difference
Engaging an experienced lawyer as early as possible after your injury is essential to ensure that you file your claim within the allotted timeframe. However, that is not the only reason you need to take action swiftly. It can also significantly impact the type and amount of proof you can gather as you develop your case.
The shopping center will likely take all reasonable steps to correct, eliminate, or hide the safety hazard that resulted in your injuries as soon as it learns of the occurrence. If you put off hiring a lawyer for several months, the property owner will have ample time to repair the defective flooring that might have caused the incident.
Let Us Help You Obtain Financial Compensation for Your Damages
To ensure you have all the facts needed to determine who was responsible for your fall and obtain the compensation you deserve, contact a slip-and-fall attorney in Los Angeles at Ehline Law Firm.
Book your free consultation today with one of our experienced lawyers to pursue compensation.
