Common Causes of Slip and Falls in Los Angeles

State Slip and Fall Laws

According to California Civil Code § 1714(a) — frequently referred to as the “duty of care” law — property owners are responsible for both maintaining safe premises and warning of known dangers. Failure to uphold this duty of care can leave property owners liable for damages caused by their neglect.

In order to demonstrate a legal liability, the injured party must demonstrate that a dangerous condition existed, that the property owner knew or should have known about it, that the property owner failed to repair the hazard or warn about it, and that the failure caused the injury.

While this responsibility applies to everyone under state law, the courts recognize that the duty of care is context-specific. Store owners, for instance, are held to a different standard than someone maintaining their private backyard. As established in case law, Ortega v. Kmart Corp., 26 Cal.4th 1200 (2001), businesses must take affirmative steps to maintain safe conditions because they invite the public into their spaces for commercial gain.

Such affirmative steps include regular inspections, prompt notice and cleanup of spills, clear warning signs for temporary hazards, and applicable safety training for staff. When a business does not prevent common causes of slip and falls, our Los Angeles attorney could determine if legal action is possible.