What you have to prove, and how we do it
A slip and fall case turns on notice: the owner knew or should have known about the hazard and did nothing. We move fast to get surveillance video before it's overwritten, inspection and cleaning logs, prior complaints, and code-violation history.
Falls are not minor cases
Falls are a leading cause of hip fractures, shoulder and wrist injuries, and traumatic brain injuries, especially in older adults. Insurers call them slip-ups. Orthopedic surgeons call them life-changing. We value them accordingly.
Act fast: evidence disappears in days
- Report the fall to management in writing and get a copy
- Photograph the hazard, your footwear, and the scene
- Get names of employees and witnesses
- Seek medical care the same day
- Call us before the store's insurer calls you
Questions we hear
The store says I should have watched where I was walking. Is that the end?
No. Comparative fault may reduce a recovery, but the owner's duty to keep the property safe doesn't disappear because you didn't spot their hazard.
Do I have a case if there was a wet floor sign?
Maybe. A sign doesn't cure every hazard, and placement, visibility, and the reason the floor stayed wet all matter.
How long do I have to sue a property owner in California?
Generally two years, but claims against public entities require a government claim within six months. Call early.