San Francisco Slip and Fall Lawyer

Since the beginning, Golden State Accident Lawyers has fought for the rights of injured victims in the San Francisco Bay Area. We only represent those who were injured due to the negligence of others, never the perpetrators or the insurance company. Our plaintiff’s law firm stands up for victims who may feel like they don’t have a loud enough voice.

Our award-winning San Francisco personal injury law firm has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and maintains a 99% success rate.

We have been recognized by esteemed law organizations, including the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers in California and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. 

If you or a loved one was hurt in a slip and fall accident, contact our legal team for a free case evaluation. You are not responsible for paying any legal fees until and unless we win your case. Request your free consultation today.

Given the complexity of slip and fall cases, hiring an experienced attorney is crucial to resolving your case as effectively and efficiently as possible. These cases may involve several liable parties, which further complicates the process of obtaining compensation.

Our San Francisco slip and fall attorney will help in many ways, including: 

• Gather evidence related to your case, including the hazardous condition that led to your injury
• Review all medical records and communicate with your doctors
• File a premises liability claim against the negligent business or property owner 
• Negotiate for a fair and full settlement representing the full extent of your damages
• File a lawsuit in civil court if a fair settlement cannot be reached 

If you are unsure whether you need a personal injury lawyer, a free case evaluation is a great time to ask questions and understand your legal options. You are not obligated to sign with the lawyer at that time. Schedule a free case evaluation to learn more about your next steps. 

A slip and fall accident happens when someone slips or falls due to unsafe premises and dangerous conditions. These preventable accidents occur when negligent property owners fail to properly maintain, inspect, fix, or warn of a hazardous condition on their property. 

California law allows injured victims to seek compensation for their losses when a property owner was negligent. For example, if someone falls due to a slippery floor at a grocery store, they may be able to sue the store owner. However, if the injured person ignored a sign marking a slippery floor and walked into the area, he or she may be held liable. 

Slip and fall cases are premises liability cases that follow most of the same rules and regulations as other types of personal injury claims. 

The first thing you should do after a slip and fall incident is to seek medical attention. Even minor injuries can turn serious if not properly treated. Additionally, visiting a doctor and obtaining medical records will prove your injury if you plan to file a legal claim.

It’s important to report the accident immediately to the property owner or manager. If you call 911, a police officer will create an official accident report. This report can be very helpful in a slip and fall lawsuit. When speaking with the police or the insurance company, do not admit fault. 

Take photos or videos of the accident scene, including where you fell, the dangerous property conditions, and your injuries. Collect the names of any witnesses and retain all of your medical records pertaining to your injury. Finally, speak to an experienced slip and fall lawyer. A lawyer can advise you and protect you from making a mistake or accepting a lowball offer. 

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere in San Francisco, including: 

• Retail and grocery stores
• Restaurants and bars
• Schools
• Hotels and resorts
• Parks and amusement parks 
• Offices and other workplaces
• Public roads and sidewalks
• Construction sites
• Nursing homes 
• Parking lots 
• Apartment buildings

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Knowing what causes slip and falls can help prevent future accidents. Typically, slip and fall cases arise from a dangerous condition or inclement weather. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), floors and flooring materials contribute to more than 2 million fall injuries each year.

Other common causes of slip and fall lawsuits include:

• Slippery or wet floors
• Cracks, dips, or uneven surfaces
• Loose or torn carpeting or rugs
• A lack of safety equipment, such as handrails 
• Falling debris
• Poor lighting
• Unclear signage indicating hazard
• Cluttered floors
• Stray wires or cords in walkways

It is up to the property owners and managers to warn patrons of dangers. For example, if an employee cleans a floor, they must place a “Wet Floor” sign near the area. 

Common Slip and Fall Injuries

Slip and fall injuries can be minor or severe, depending on the specific circumstances of the accident. Older adults typically suffer more serious injuries and death due to their age. 

• Concussion and other traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Head injuries
• Broken bones and fractures 
• Cuts and lacerations 
• Spinal cord injuries
• Muscle sprains and strains
• Neck and back injuries
• Knee and ankle injuries
• Facial injuries 

If your loved one suffers a fatal injury after a slip and fall, you may have a case for wrongful death. We can help you through this complex civil claim. 

Property owners, businesses, homeowners, and landlords have a duty of care to keep their premises safe and free of hazards. If they fail to do so, they could be held responsible for any resulting injuries in a premises liability lawsuit. 

Keep in mind that property and business owners only have a duty to invitees and licensees. These are people who are lawfully on the premises. For example, a customer entering a grocery store would be considered an invitee. A licensee could be a salesperson entering a business to sell a service or product. 

If you are trespassing, business owners and property owners do not owe you a duty of care, and are therefore not liable for any slip and fall injuries. The law is amended for children, so it is important to speak with slip and fall accident attorneys to learn more about liability. 

While slip and fall suits typically settle between $10,000 and $50,000, a settlement’s value will vary depending on the extent of the injuries, the impact on the victim’s life, and the defendant’s degree of negligence. More serious injuries will mean a higher settlement value.

In order to obtain compensation, you will need to prove that you suffered damages. Evidence like medical treatment, statements from doctors, and proof of the hazardous condition will be necessary to show damages and file a successful slip and fall lawsuit. 

Damages are classified as economic and non-economic. Economic damages include medical bills relating to the injury, lost wages due to missed time from work, and loss of future earning potential. Economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. 

Ultimately, the value of a case will largely depend on the expertise of your slip and fall injury lawyer. A skilled lawyer will be able to prove liability, determine damages, and obtain the highest possible settlement. 

If you plan on filing a premises liability case in California, you must be aware of the statute of limitations, or deadline for filing a case. Slip and fall victims generally have two years from the date of their accident to file a claim against the negligent party. When the injury is not discovered right away, you have two years from the day your injury becomes apparent. 

When it comes to slip and falls at a government agency, the time frame works a little differently. You must first file a government administrative claim within six months of your accident. Once you do this, you have the standard two years to file a personal injury claim. 

The statute of limitations is in place to eliminate most fraudulent claims and preserve evidence. Slip and fall victims must act as soon as possible to pursue compensation. Our San Francisco slip and fall legal team will help your case stay on track and on deadline. 

In a slip and fall claim, the victim must be able to show that the defendant owed them a duty of care. California law states that “everyone is responsible, not only for the result of his or her willful acts but also for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property or person…”

In other words, businesses and landlords owe a duty of care to ensure that their premises are safe for visitors and tenants. This includes taking necessary precautions to protect people from potential hazards, such as broken handrails or loose carpeting.  

In order to prove negligence in a premises liability claim, you must show the following elements:

1. The property owner owed you a duty of care.
2. They failed to uphold that duty, either by negligence leading to a dangerous condition, failure to warn you of the condition, failure to inspect the property, or failure to address it in a timely manner. 
3. Their negligence led to the accident and resulting injury. 
4. The victim suffered monetary damages, such as medical expenses and lost income, as a result. 

Negligence can be proven through video surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records, the accident report, and more. If the victim contributed to the accident in some way, such as ignoring a sign or running through a store, the amount of available damages will be reduced accordingly under California’s comparative negligence law. 

All slip and fall claims are different, which means there is no average time to settle. Some cases may take a few months, while others may take years. 

Factors like the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, the available evidence, and negotiations will all influence how long a case takes to settle. If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, then your case may go to trial. While rare, this can lengthen a case substantially. 

It is imperative to work with an experienced San Francisco slip and fall accident lawyer to ensure your case is running smoothly. 

Slip and fall accidents can take a physical and mental toll on victims. Injuries can lead to chronic pain, stress, and fatigue. If you were injured in a slip and fall in San Francisco, you may be entitled to damages. 

Our San Francisco slip and fall accident attorneys at Golden State Accident Lawyers can help you navigate a premises liability claim to obtain fair compensation.

With our compassionate support, we can help you hold the negligent property owner accountable. Call us to schedule a free case review with our law firm today.