Irvine Slip and Fall Lawyer

Many slip and fall accidents occur when someone loses balance and falls on someone’s property. The term has also become a somewhat generic description for all accidents that result from dangerous conditions on property—also known as premises liability claims. If you are injured because of a hazardous condition on someone’s property, the property owner or manager may be liable for those injuries.

Not every injury on someone else’s property entitles you to damages. There has to be a dangerous condition on the property that the property owner knew or should have known about. They must have also failed to warn someone of the condition adequately. If those conditions exist, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. An Irvine slip and fall lawyer can go over the circumstances surrounding your injury and let you know about your potential rights and remedies.

Negligence and Slip and Fall Accidents

Negligence is an essential element of all slip and fall claims. To be negligent, a property owner—or the person in charge of the property—must fail to maintain the property to a reasonable standard. They need to know—or have constructive knowledge—of the hazardous condition. They also need to have time to remedy the hazard. They may be negligent if they fail to repair the hazard, take steps to protect people from it, or warn people about the hazardous condition.

Having a hazardous condition is not enough to prove a slip and fall. The hazard has to cause an accident. It does not have to be the sole cause of the accident—as long as it is a substantial cause, a person is likely entitled to damages. An Irvine attorney could examine the circumstances and guide whether a property owner is responsible for a slip and fall accident.

Responsible Parties in Slip and Fall Accidents

Frequently, the property owner is responsible for any premise liability injury. However, property owners are not always the ones responsible for the upkeep of their property—others may be responsible, as well. Owners, occupants, property managers, and even short-term renters could be liable, depending on the circumstances.

Just because one party is liable does not absolve other parties of their potential liability. A slip and fall lawyer in Irvine can help an injured person determine which claims to file.

Steps to File a Slip and Fall Claim

The first step after any accident is to check for injuries. If necessary, contact 911 to get emergency medical care. Even if the injury does not require emergency care, it is a wise idea to follow up with a healthcare provider. While slip and fall accidents may seem minor, they can result in severe injuries. One of the most significant risks is traumatic brain injury (TBI)—a type of head injury that may not be fully apparent at the time of the accident. Getting healthcare as soon as possible minimizes the chances that the wrongdoers will be able to claim the fall was not the cause of the injury.

A person should also document both the accident and any injuries that occurred. Take photographs of the property and the hazard that led to the slip and fall. Document the time of the accident, any special conditions, and the location. Take photos of any injuries. It is vital to take photos on the day of the accident and the days following the accident. Bruises can take days to develop, so you want to document them.

If the fall was on commercial property, the injured person should request that the manager complete an incident report. The report should contain the date, time, and nature of the injury. A person can request a copy of the incident report. Additionally, the injured person should seek the names and contact information of any witnesses. A lawyer in Irvine could use this information to secure compensation for the injured person after a slip and fall.

Talk to an Irvine Slip and Fall Attorney Today

The aftermath of a slip and fall accident can be overwhelming. You may be in physical pain and facing a lengthy recovery period. The last thing you need to worry about is collecting damages from the wrongdoer whose negligence harmed you. However, you cannot wait too long to file a claim. Not only is there a statute of limitations, but you may need the money from a claim to pay for your medical care.

An Irvine slip and fall lawyer can help. We can investigate fault, uncover evidence, and handle every part of the claim process. Contact our team to learn more about your legal options.