Everyone has their clumsy moments at times, but when slips and falls are caused by another person’s negligence, the injuries are felt twice as hard. In those situations, the accident could have been avoided altogether, had the negligent person acted responsibly. Serious injuries can occur from slip and fall accidents. In fact, slip and fall incidents are the leading cause of injury and death among older Americans.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of a slip and fall accident, you will need a knowledgeable slip and fall lawyer here in Escondido to advocate on your behalf and seek the maximum compensation possible. Slip and fall cases have the potential to get quite complicated, which is why it behooves victims to reach out to an experienced Escondido personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
How Slip and Fall Injuries Occur
Accidents happen, but slip and fall incidents occur when a person’s negligence has led to the injuries of another. They can occur in shopping malls, grocery stores, restaurants, amusement parks and even in private homes. Common examples of this kind of accident include:
- Failure by staff to put up a “wet floor” sign after mopping
- Debris or liquids on stairwells
- Loose carpeting or floor mats on property
- Failure to clean up spills
- Potholes in parking lots
- Uneven or dislodged flooring
- Poor lighting, especially in a stairwell
Any instance of a property owner with knowledge of a hazard who failed to solve the problem in a reasonable manner can be classified as a premises liability case if injuries resulted.
If you’ve been injured or a loved one has been killed through an act of negligence, you need the highest level of legal representation.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Common Slip and Fall Injuries
Study after study confirms that slips and falls are among the most dangerous kinds of accidents. Injuries sustained in such incidents can cause lifelong pain and suffering. Some of the most common injuries sustained in slip and fall accidents include:
- Knee injuries
- Back injuries
- Head injuries
- Brain injuries
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Facial injuries
- Loss of pregnancy
- Hip fractures
Potential Compensation for Slip and Fall Victims
Victims injured in slip and fall accidents may be entitled to compensation. While it is impossible to know the exact value of a claim right away, an Escondido slip and fall lawyer can help determine the damages a person should seek. Compensation may be available for:
- Medical bills, past, present, and future
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
In some cases, a judge may award a victim punitive damages to discourage particularly flagrant negligence from occurring again.
How an Escondido Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help
Do not suffer in silence. The person responsible for your slip and fall accident should be held liable for their negligence. In California, victims of slip and fall accidents have two years from the date they are injured to file a claim. In cases involving state and federal government-owned facilities, the window of opportunity is even smaller.
Claims must be filed within six months of the accident. Acting quickly is in the best interest of the victim, as slip and fall cases can be time-consuming and complicated.
If you are unsure if you have a viable case or have questions about your legal rights, call an Escondido slip and fall lawyer today for a confidential consultation.
Escondido Slip and Fall Accident FAQs
Do I need an Escondido slip and fall lawyer if the property owner says I was at fault?
Yes. Even if the property owner claims you caused the fall, that doesn’t mean your case is invalid. California’s comparative negligence laws allow you to recover compensation even if you were partially responsible as long as someone else also shared in the fault. A knowledgeable Escondido slip and fall attorney from Sargent Law Firm can protect your rights and push back against unfair blame tactics.
What should I do immediately after a slip and fall accident in Escondido?
If you’re injured in a slip and fall accident, taking the right steps early can make or break your case:
- Report the incident to a store manager or property owner
- Request a copy of the incident report
- Take photos of the hazardous condition (wet floor, poor lighting, debris, etc.)
- Get names and contact info of any witnesses
- Seek medical care immediately, even if symptoms seem minor
- Contact an Escondido slip and fall attorney before speaking to any insurance adjusters
Sargent Law Firm can guide you from the moment your accident happens to ensure your legal rights are protected from day one.
How do Sargent Law Firm’s slip and fall attorneys prove negligence in an Escondido slip and fall case?
To prove liability, your Escondido slip and fall lawyer at our firm must show that:
- A dangerous condition existed
- The property owner knew (or should have known) about it
- They failed to take reasonable steps to fix it or warn visitors
- That failure directly caused your injuries
Our attorneys collect security footage, maintenance logs, eyewitness statements, and consult with experts when necessary to build a strong case on your behalf.
How much does it cost to hire a slip and fall lawyer in Escondido, CA?
At Sargent Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront, and no attorney fees at all, unless we win your case. This allows injured victims in Escondido to get experienced legal representation without adding financial stress during recovery.