Being injured in a slip-and-fall accident in Sherman Oaks, CA, can cause severe injuries, emotional distress, and financial losses. Our Sherman Oaks slip-and-fall accident lawyers at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover the money you deserve. Contact our law offices at 833-852-3600.
We will fight to recover fair compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced because of a negligent property owner.
Since 1980, we have fought for the rights of injured victims and their families in Sherman Oaks, California. Contact The JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
How Our Sherman Oaks Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You With a Claim for a Slip and Fall Accident in California
You don’t expect to be injured when you are on someone else’s property. However, slips, trips, and falls are common personal injury claims. Unfortunately, insurance companies, property owners, and other responsible parties are not interested in paying a fair amount for damages.
At JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers, our legal team has over 105 years of combined experience helping accident victims. Our Sherman Oaks personal injury lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for thousands of clients.
Our top-rated personal injury lawyers have received the highest peer rating by Martindale-Hubbell. They are recognized by Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, and Best Lawyers. We’ll use our significant legal experience and resources to aggressively pursue all parties responsible for causing your injuries.
When you hire JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers to handle your case, you can trust we will:
- Thoroughly investigate your slip and fall accident
- Identify all parties responsible for maintaining the property
- Work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay us if we win your case
- Gather evidence proving fault for the accident and liability for damages
- Document all recoverable damages to calculate how much your slip and fall accident case is worth
- Work with expert witnesses to strengthen your case as necessary
- Complete and submit all documents for insurance and personal injury claims
- Negotiate a fair settlement based on the value of your damages
- File a lawsuit and proceed to court if settlement negotiations do not produce a fair settlement
At JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers, we provide skilled, compassionate, and trusted legal representation. You do not need to fight this battle alone. Call now for a free case evaluation from an experienced Sherman Oaks slip-and-fall accident lawyer in Sherman Oaks, CA.
Who Is Responsible for a Slip and Fall Accident in Sherman Oaks, CA?
Slip and fall accidents are premises liability claims. Premises liability describes a property owner’s responsibility if someone is injured while on their property because of negligence or willful acts. California Civil Code §1714 holds parties liable for the results of their failure to use ordinary skill or care in the management of their property.
Therefore, you can hold the party with control of the property responsible for damages caused by a slip and fall accident.
Potential defendants in a slip and fall accident lawsuit include:
- Property owners, including commercial owners and homeowners
- Landlords and tenants
- Government entities
- Management companies
- Business owners
- Retailers, restaurants, and big box stores
- Amusement parks and entertainment venues
- Schools, universities, and daycares
- Hotels and resorts
A property owner may not be liable for all injuries on their property. The duty of care depends on the victim’s reason for being on the property. For example, property owners owe a high standard of care to visitors they invite to their properties. They owe a lower standard of care for trespassers unless the trespasser is under 18 years old.
How Much Is My Slip and Fall Accident Case Worth?
The value of slip and fall cases may vary in California.
However, crucial factors that impact what your case is worth can include:
- The severity of your injury
- Insurance policy limits
- Time missed from work
- Medical treatment required
- The impact of the injury on your life
Our Sherman Oaks personal injury attorney can help you determine what your slip and fall case is worth and protect you from settling for less.
How Do I Prove Liability for a Slip and Fall Accident in California?
There are four elements of a slip-and-fall accident claim. To win your case, you must prove:
- The defendant was the party who owned or controlled the property at the time of your accident.
- The defendant was negligent in failing to use the correct duty of care required by the circumstances.
- The defendant’s negligence or willful acts directly and approximately caused your slip and fall accident.
- You sustained injuries and harm because of the slip and fall accident.
You need evidence to prove each of the above elements by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not the defendant caused your injuries. Because a property owner can correct hazards after you leave, it is wise to take photographs and make a video of the accident scene, including the hazard that caused your fall.
Common Injuries Sustained in Sherman Oaks Slip and Fall Accident
Slip and fall injuries range from strains and sprains to catastrophic injuries. The severity of the injuries depends on the circumstances of the fall. Our Sherman Oaks slip-and-fall accident lawyers handle cases involving all types of injuries.
Examples of injuries from a slip and fall accident include:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Neck and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial injuries
- Nerve damage
- Concussions
The injuries from a slip and fall accident could cause long-term impairments. Life-long injuries can prevent a victim from earning the same level of income as they did before the accident. They may be unable to participate in the same activities.
Prompt medical care protects your health. It also helps prove that the fall caused your injuries to support a personal injury claim for compensation for past and future damages.
What Damages Are Available for a Slip and Fall Claim in Sherman Oaks, CA?
When you slip, trip, and fall, you sustain physical injuries from the fall. However, you also incur financial losses and other damages. California personal injury laws allow victims to seek compensation for all damages, including economic and non-economic damages.
Examples of economic damages in a slip and fall accident case include:
- Lost wages and benefits
- Personal and/or nursing care
- Medical bills and expenses
- Rehabilitative therapies, including physical and occupational therapy
- Household services
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Reduced earning capacity
The value of your economic damages is the total of all losses to date. You may also receive money for future damages if your injuries result in a permanent impairment.
Examples of non-economic damages in a slip and fall accident case include:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Impairments and disabilities
Juries can also award punitive damages. However, punitive damages are only awarded when you can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the party who caused your fall acted with malice, oppression, or fraud. The jury awards punitive damages to punish the party for their conduct.
At JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers, our lawyers carefully analyze all factors in your case to determine damages. We work closely with your physicians to determine the extent of your injuries and damages. When necessary, we consult medical experts, financial professionals, and other specialists to maximize your compensation for damages.
Can I Receive Compensation for a Slip and Fall Accident if I’m Partially to Blame for Causing My Fall?
California uses a pure comparative fault standard for personal injury claims. You are not barred from receiving money for your damages if you contributed to the cause of your injury. However, your compensation can be reduced by your level of fault.
For example, suppose you are found to be 20% to blame for your slip and fall after a jury trial. The jury awards you $500,000 for your damages. Instead of receiving the total amount of the damages award, the judge will reduce the amount by 20% or $100,000.
Insurance companies and property owners try to shift the blame for your fall to you. They want to avoid paying your claim or paying the full value of your damages. Working with a Sherman Oaks slip and fall accident lawyer can help protect you from these deliberate attempts to undervalue your claim.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Accident Claims in Sherman Oaks, CA?
The California statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years from the injury date, including claims for slip and fall injuries. You must file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires, or you can lose your right to pursue your claim in court.
However, some exceptions could change the deadline for filing a slip and fall accident claim in Sherman Oaks, CA. Therefore, the best way to protect your rights is to seek legal advice from an experienced Sherman Oaks personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Sherman Oaks Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Our Sherman Oaks slip and fall accident attorneys help you seek compensation for your damages after being injured on someone’s property in Sherman Oaks, CA. We’ll pursue all sources of compensation to maximize the amount you receive. Contact JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers today at 833-852-3600 to request a free case review.
