It’s all too common. One moment you’re going about life as usual at work, running errands, or doing other things that make up daily life in Riverside; the next, your footing goes out from underneath you and you come crashing to the floor. Though these accidents occur frequently and can happen anywhere, the results are far from common. Slip and fall accidents can result in catastrophic, life-changing injuries or even death.
The World Health Organization reports falls are the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths worldwide. A staggering 37.3 million falls each year are serious enough that victim need medical attention, and 646,000 people die each year as a result. The statistics are more tragic due to the fact many falls were avoidable if someone had just exercised reasonable care and either not created or else corrected a dangerous condition. If you were injured in a slip and fall, contact a skilled Riverside Slip and Fall to learn if you may be entitled to compensation.
Responsibilities of Owners, Landlords, Managers, and Caretakers
In California, property owners, landlords, managers, and caretakers have the legal duty to exercise reasonable care to keep the property free of hazardous conditions to keep visitors and guests safe. They have a second legal duty to exercise reasonable care to inspect the property to discover and correct any such condition or warn guests about any hazardous condition not obvious enough a reasonable person would:
- See it,
- Recognize it, and
- Take steps to avoid it.
If they fail to discover a hazardous condition that would have been discovered if reasonable inspection took place, they’re presumed to have constructive notice of the condition and may be liable for resulting injuries.
Common Hazardous Conditions
Hazardous conditions are a common cause of slip and falls in Riverside. These are broadly construed and can include unsafe features such as:
- Cracked or loose flooring
- Uneven floors
- Broken steps
- Improperly secured rugs
- Frayed, worn, or torn carpet
- Spilled liquids
In a city like Riverside with over 326,000 residents, there are a variety of different properties needed to support the area. Supermarkets, gas stations, retailers, restaurants, residences, hospitals, shopping centers, and offices are all needed to adequately service Riverside’s residents, and any of these can have hazardous conditions putting residents, visitors, and other patrons at risk of slips, trips, falls, and injury.
What Is My Riverside Slip and Fall Case Worth?
Victims of slip and fall accidents often suffer severe injuries to the head, brain, neck, back, spinal cord, nerves, ankles, wrists, and even broken bones. These injuries can require extensive care or even lifelong treatment, and the medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses can turn financial futures upside down in an instant. If someone is found to have acted negligently and is liable for a victim’s damages, it’s possible to recover damages for injuries including:
- Medical bills
- Lost future earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Burial costs
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring, disability, or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
In some cases, victims of slip and fall injuries may be entitled to an award of additional damages to punish a defendant’s vile, reprehensible behavior and deter repetition of the conduct by them and others in the future. However, the burden of proof for these punitive damages is high and the decision to award them is entirely up to the judge or jury. To avoid costly legal missteps when seeking damages in any case, it’s advisable to work with an experienced Riverside slip and fall attorney.
What Should I Do if I’m Involved in a Slip and Fall?
It’s understandable that the idea of acting quickly after the trauma of a slip and fall can be very daunting. However, it’s critical you take some simple actions look after your physical and emotional recovery and strengthen your legal claim for compensation. It’s also important you do not delay; California has a 2-year statute of limitations from your injury date to file a lawsuit for your slip and fall injuries. If this deadline passes, you’ll be barred and permanently lose your right to file a claim for compensation in court.
Get Medical Attention As Soon As Possible
One you have been involved in a slip and fall, seek medical attention immediately even if you think you weren’t hurt. Slip and fall injuries often result in traumatic brain injuries, which may not present symptoms for days or even weeks but can be fatal if left untreated. It’s important to be evaluated and treated for any injuries you sustained – follow the doctor’s instructions exactly and keep copies of any medical records created as a result of your injury.
Gather Important Evidence and Information
There is some information that will be very helpful for supporting any claims for compensation you make by documenting the accident and your injuries:
- If possible, take photographs of the accident scene and your injuries.
- Get contact information for any witnesses to the accident.
- If possible, locate and photograph the source that caused you to slip.
- If your accident occurred on the job, report it to your supervisor immediately to begin on a workers’ compensation claim.
- If your accident didn’t occur at work, report it to the property owner, landlord, manager, or caretaker.
- Keep all bills, receipts, insurance reports, paystubs, or any other document that relates to your accident, any injuries, and all expenses you have incurred from the accident.
Contact a Riverside Slip and Fall Attorney
If you or a loved one were injured during a slip and fall accident, talk to the knowledgeable Riverside Slip and Fall Attorneys at Walton Law, APC today. Our attorneys have spent year delivering personalized, driven representation for victims like you in and around Riverside. We have also secured millions in compensation for our deserving clients. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866)-338-7079 or online through our Contact Page to schedule your no risk, no obligation initial consultation today. The initial case review is free, and you pay nothing until we win your case. Let our experienced attorneys review your situation and start working to secure the maximum possible recovery for you.