Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, leaving victims with medical bills, lost income, and ongoing pain. Property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their premises safe, and when they fail to do so, injured parties may be entitled to compensation.
The Legal Basics of Slip & Fall Cases
Slip and fall cases fall under premises liability law, which holds property owners responsible for maintaining safe conditions.
Under California law, property owners owe a duty of care to ensure their premises are reasonably safe for visitors. If a hazardous condition exists, the owner must take prompt action to fix it or provide adequate warnings. Proving a breach of this duty is central to a slip-and-fall claim.
California also follows comparative negligence rules, meaning your compensation may be reduced if you are found partially at fault for the accident. For example, if a court determines you were 20% responsible, your damages would be reduced by that percentage. A skilled attorney can help minimize the impact of such defenses on your claim.