Bakersfield Slip and Fall Lawyers

Bakersfield Slip and Fall Lawyers

Slipping and falling on an unsafe surface is one of the most common causes of injury, both in the workplace and in our daily life. While everyone has been in that position at one time or another, it poses a serious risk to our health, with the risk growing as we grow older. Fortunately, California’s legislation allows you to file a personal injury claim in the case you are involved in a slip and fall accident

With years of experience behind us, our team of expert Bakersfield slip and fall lawyers can assist you in obtaining the fair compensation you deserve in the case you have an accident on unsafe premises. We believe that injuries caused by the negligence of others should never be the victim’s fault. We will fight to the best of our capabilities and beyond to make sure that the at-fault party is made accountable for its negligence.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

While some of us might find it amusing when someone else slips and falls at the supermarket or slips on the oily floor of the gas station. Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. Injuries from slip and fall accidents are some of the most common reasons for admission into the ER. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 800,000 slip and fall victims are hospitalized each year. 

Here are some of the most common causes of a slip and fall injury:

• Wet and Slippery Floors – Usually, due to the presence of liquid on the floor of the premises. This can happen due to spillage, weather conditions, and an accumulation of moisture. Any dangerous conditions on the premises could risk a slip trip accident. Common examples include freshly mopped floors with missing warning signs, sand or dust on the stairs or ramps in hotels, and spills not cleaned up in a shopping mall or grocery store.
• Tripping hazards – Some common hazards are cords or wires running across office floors, trailing cables, empty boxes blocking paths, open file cabinets, loose or torn carpets, and cracked or uneven walkways.
• Broken or no handrails – These can result in a person losing balance or grip and taking a serious tumble leading to very severe injuries and even life-threatening situations. Such accidents are quite common in places where guests rely on handrails to climb stairs e.g. parking garages, shopping centers, apartment complexes, and hotels.
• Poor lighting – In situations with poor or inadequate lighting, people are at serious risk of having a slip and fall accident. Since we rely on our sight to be aware of our surroundings, if a place isn’t well lit, we run the risk of not seeing other hazards in our way.
• Uneven or damaged sidewalks – Cracks or gaps can also cause slips and falls as well. While it can be difficult to determine liability in the event of an accident, there is no denying the fact that accidents occur due to damaged sidewalks.
• Open ditches or potholes – The lack of proper warning signs and fencing may lead to significant and even traumatic injuries.

The most common places where this kind of accident happens include grocery stores, hotels, restaurants, resorts, private homes, small businesses, apartment buildings, office spaces, pool-sides, and someone else’s property, among others. Even if we think slipping and falling is our fault due to our own clumsiness, it’s the responsibility of the owner/manager of the premises to provide a safe environment.

The failure to do so can result in serious physical injuries for the accident victim. If you ever get involved in a slip and fall accident, it is important to contact your Bakersfield personal injury lawyer to get the compensatory damages you deserve.

What Are the Most Common Injuries in a Slip and Fall Accident?

According to the National Safety Council, 6.8 million accident victims were treated in emergency rooms for slip and fall-related injuries in 2019. Data collected also shows that slip and fall accidents are the second leading cause of death nationwide. While some victims are lucky to only sustain some scratches and bruises. A serious injury from a slip and fall accident can incur extensive medical care, even more so among the elderly. Common injuries suffered in slip-and-fall accidents are:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Head injuries
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Hip fractures
• Shoulder injuries
• Sprains and fractures
• Strained muscles or tendons
• Soft tissue injuries

It is important to remember that no matter the extent of our injuries in a slip and fall accident, if the property is at fault for it, you are entitled to the maximum compensation for the damages and expenses you have to cover for your treatment.

From the most minor of injuries such as a simple bruise to catastrophic injuries such as head injuries or broken bones, a slip and fall accident may be the cause of lost wages, loss of income, decreasing quality of life, and expensive medical bills. This can cause emotional trauma for you and your family members.

An experienced slip and fall injury attorney in Bakersfield can help you get the justice you or your loved one deserve in the event that the accident was caused by the negligent actions of a responsible party.

What to do After a Slip and Fall Accident

If you or someone you know has been injured due to a slip and fall accident in Bakersfield, these are some steps to take to protect and maintain the integrity of your case:

• Take pictures of the unsafe conditions on the premises and try to get a wide-angle shot showing the lack of signs and warnings regarding the hazard.
• Take pictures of your injuries before and after medical attention.
• Report the incident to the management/property owner. Remember to request a copy of an accident report.
• Write down all the details from the accident as soon as possible.
• Note down witness contact details, if any.
• Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. Keep track of all your medical records.
• Speak to a slip and fall attorney in Bakersfield as soon as possible. Our experienced Bakersfield personal injury attorneys can provide valuable legal representation for you after a slip and fall accident.
• Do not give any statements to the property owner’s insurance adjuster until after you have spoken to your slip and fall lawyer. 

While slip and fall accidents are quite common, cases that go to court can be difficult to win. To file a valid claim, it is not enough to prove that the accident happened on the site, but it must be proven that the property owner had a duty of care and they were incompetent in providing reasonable care. A qualified slip and fall accident injury lawyer by your side can help to hold a negligent party liable for your losses.

How to Determine Premises Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident

In the case of a slip and fall accident, the process of determining the property owner’s liability is always complex and time-consuming. At Farahi Law Firm, APC, our Bakersfield slip and fall lawyers have extensive experience handling these types of cases and will manage the legal complexities of your claim while you focus on your recovery.

To successfully pursue a slip and fall accident claim, the injured party must prove the following three factors to prove negligence on the property owner or manager’s part in ensuring the safety of the people visiting the premises:

• The property owner owed you a duty of care.
• The property owner breached that duty of care.
• You suffered an injury because of the property owner’s breach.

It is common for property owners to deny any kind of liability in a slip and fall accident, instead of blaming the victim for the accident. Also, some owners will claim they were unaware of the hazards or even deny its existence altogether.

Tactics such as these are why hiring experienced Bakersfield slip and fall lawyers  is in your best interest. A knowledgeable Bakersfield slip and fall lawyer will also ensure that your rights are protected from any tricks insurance companies might use to lower your claim to avoid offering you a fair settlement.

Types of Damages Victims May Recover From a Slip and Fall Accident

We completely understand the financial and emotional weight of a slip and fall accident. That’s why our team of Bakersfield slip and fall lawyers is fully committed to fighting for your wellbeing and winning an advantageous settlement for your injuries while you recover. The economic and non-economic compensatory damages in a slip & fall accident may include:

• Medical costs to cover the treatment for the injuries sustained, doctors bills, hospital bills, physical therapy, and even medication costs.
• Any loss of income and wages, both present and future.
• Any physical pain and emotional distress suffered because of the accident.
• Any decrease in your quality of life because of the accident, from serious medical after-effects or the loss of enjoyment in your life if you are not able to do the same activities as before the accident.
• Loss of consortium, for the deprivation of the benefits of a family relationship, arising from injuries sustained due to the accident. 
• And may more

It is good to note that California also provides punitive damages charges not meant to “make up” for your suffering but to actively punish the offending party.

Why Should You Hire Our Bakersfield Slip and Fall Lawyers?

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident due to the actions of a liable party, you may be eligible for financial compensation.

Our expert Bakersfield slip and fall lawyers at Farahi Law Firm, APC will strive to help you obtain the maximum compensation for your medical expenses, loss of earnings, pain, and suffering, property damage, and other economic losses you have suffered as a result of a slip and fall accident. Contact us at (661) 669-7239 to schedule a free initial consultation. We speak English and Spanish.