San Francisco Slip and Fall Attorney

You should never have to worry about getting injured on another person’s property. However, you may need a San Francisco slip and fall attorney if the negligence or carelessness of a property owner has caused you harm. Let the qualified and experienced team at Allegiance Law get to work on your case. Our goal is to secure compensation for all of your injury-related expenses.

How do slip and fall incidents happen?

There are a variety of reasons that slip and fall injuries occur. However, we know they are common. We know that around one million people seek treatment in hospitals each year for slip and fall injuries according to the National Floor Safety Institute. The CDC says that older Americans are the most at risk of major injuries from falls.

We commonly see these injuries happen due to:

• Spills of food and drinks on the floor: Most common in restaurants, food, and drink left on the floor can cause catastrophe for an unsuspecting passerby. It is most often the responsibility of the restaurant or property owner to ensure that they are cleaned up for patrons’ wellbeing.
• Electrical cords and other wires on the floor: Oftentimes resulting in trips and even electrocution, unattended wires left on the ground can beckon immediate disaster. In the worst-case scenario, these types of injuries may even be fatal.
• Defects in the pavement: While there could be electrical lines laying about, unmanaged concrete is oftentimes overlooked by people considering filing a slip and fall lawsuit. It is the responsibility of the owner to make sure that pedestrians – especially those with limited mobility – are able to safely walk along designated paths.
• Carpeting that is loose or torn: Carpeting can serve the same danger as pavement when torn or lifted. Elderly and disabled folk are most often the victim of this type of slip and fall as it prohibits mobility for walkers, canes, wheelchairs, and prosthetics.
• Inadequate lighting in an area: Lighting is crucial when people are attempting to move about a property. Insufficient illumination can restrict vision and cause someone to be involved in an accident by falling or running into objects they otherwise would not have.
• No wet floor signs after an area have been mopped: One of the most commonly cited examples of slip and fall cases, wet floor signs are crucial to alerting the public in busy spaces of dangers they could face when walking over slippery areas.
• And more…

What are the most common slip and fall injuries?

Please understand that slip and fall incidents can cause a wide variety of injuries. It is not uncommon for us to deal with the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Open head wounds
• Concussions
• Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
• Broken or dislocated bones
• Severe lacerations
• Major bruises/bone bruises

Vulnerable populations to personal injury

These injuries vary in severity and can oftentimes threaten the life of the victim. Yet, it is important to note that some populations may be more susceptible to these injuries than others – and may even experience more severe forms of the same kinds of injury than other people. This includes but is not limited to:

• Pregnant women
• The elderly
• Mentally or physically disabled individuals
• Children

Knowing if you or a loved one falls into one of these categories while keeping in mind the injuries that you could incur and the most common ways they happen, you can help better prevent a family member from being the victim of a slip and fall accident. Despite your precautions, however, there is only so much one is able to prevent alone and one should be prepared in case an accident does occur.

What should I do following a slip and fall incident?

Immediately after a slip and fall incident, your priority needs to be seeking medical care for any injuries. Even minor injuries need to be treated by a doctor. You also need to do everything possible to document the cause of the slip and fall incident with photos or video evidence.

If the slip and fall happened on commercial property, report the incident to management and ensure an accident report is filled out. If there were any witnesses to the incident, get their statements and information to use in a possible court case.

What if a slip and fall incident happens on private property?

Private property owners can also be held liable for injuries on their property. We know that many people are reluctant to bring lawsuits against friends and family, but please remember that you are not filing a lawsuit against them, but rather against their insurance company.

The California statute of limitations

It is important to note the period of time in which someone can file a lawsuit pertaining to a slip and fall accident in the state of California. Following the completion of this timeframe, you may not be able to make a claim for your injuries.

In California, it is determined by legislatislation that an injury victim must file a claim for a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident. While the beginning point of this period starts at the date of the accident, there is an exception. If an additional injury is discovered at a later date, the victim of the accident then has one year from the date of discovery – not the date of the accident. This is important to take note of when considering moving forward with legal proceedings in an attempt to win back compensation for your damages in a slip and fall case.

We are ready to get to work

If you or someone you love has been injured due to the reckless or careless actions of a property owner, please seek legal assistance today. At Allegiance Law, we have the experienced lawyer you need to bring your case to a successful conclusion. Let us investigate what happened so we can secure the compensation you deserve, including:

• Your medical expenses related to the incident
• Lost income and benefits if you are unable to work
• Pain and suffering/loss of enjoyment of life damages
• Punitive damages against those responsible

If you need a San Francisco slip and fall lawyer, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 415-404-6395.