Santa Clara Slip and Fall Lawyers CA

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can occur in any location and at any time. Injuries that result from slip and fall accidents are some of the most frequent reasons for admission to the ER. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that 6.8 million accident victims were treated in emergency departments for slip and fall-related injuries.

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

• Tripping Hazards – Some common hazards can be found in places such as an office. These hazards include cords or wires running across floors, trailing cables, empty boxes blocking paths, open file cabinets, loose or torn carpets, and cracked or uneven walkways.
• Uneven or Damaged Sidewalks – Different types of accidents can happen if sidewalks are in bad condition. It may be difficult to determine the liable party in accidents such as these.
• Wet and Slippery Floors – Liquid on the floor is a common cause of slip and trip accidents. This can be due to spillage, weather conditions, or an accumulation of moisture. Any dangerous conditions on the premises could risk a slip and fall 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.
• Broken or No Handrails – If someone loses their balance or grip while using a handrail, they could fall and sustain serious injuries or even die. This type of accident is common in places where people have to use handrails to go up and down stairs, such as parking garages, shopping centers, apartment complexes, and hotels.
• Open Ditches or Potholes – If there are no proper warning signs or fences, people can sustain severe injuries.
• Poor Lighting – If a location is poorly lit it increases the risk of people slipping and falling as they are not able to see potential hazards. Good lighting is essential as it allows people to be aware of their surroundings.

Some of the most common places where slip and fall accidents occur are grocery stores, hotels, restaurants, resorts, private homes, small businesses, apartment buildings, office spaces, and pools. Even if we think we may have been clumsy and caused the fall ourselves, it is the responsibility of the property owner of the premises to ensure that there are no unsafe conditions.

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

Depending on the manner of the fall and the severity slip and fall accidents can lead to minor or severe bodily injuries. Older adults – 65 years and older – are the most susceptible to sustaining debilitating injuries. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3 million older adults are treated in emergency departments for the injuries they sustain from a slip and fall accident.

Common injuries suffered in slip-and-fall accidents are:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Hip fractures
• Sprains
• Strained muscles or tendons
• Internal injury
• Wrist fractures

Determining Premises Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident

Determining the property owner’s liability in a slip and fall accident is complex and time-consuming. The legal team at Farahi Law Firm, APC, has extensive experience handling premises liability claims and will handle the legal complexities of your case for you.

There are three factors that must be proven, in order to successfully file a slip and fall accident claim based on the property owner/manager’s negligence in ensuring the safety of 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.

Property owners often deny any responsibility for slip and fall accidents, instead blaming the victim. They may claim they were unaware of the hazards or deny their existence altogether.

All property managers or owners have the responsibility to provide reasonable care for those visiting their premises and must ensure that it is safe to do so.

Types of Damages Victims May Recover in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim

Our Santa Clara slip and fall lawyers understand how difficult these types of accidents can be. Suffering from accident injuries sustained can cause great emotional distress and financial burdens for the accident injury victim and their family. These situations can greatly affect a victim’s quality of life. As the injured party, you may be entitled to the following compensatory damages:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical bills
• Property damage
• Loss of income
• Loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of consortium
• Other out-of-pocket expenses
• And more

In some worst-case scenarios, a slip and fall accident may result in fatal injuries. If your loved one’s wrongful death was due to the carelessness of a negligent party, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim to recover monetary compensation for their injuries and damages.

Although no amount of compensation is enough to make up for the loss of a loved one, the compensation awarded to the family of the deceased may help in easing some economic damages. This compensation may be used to cover certain damages, such as funeral expenses and burial costs.

During this challenging time, it is in your best interest to obtain legal representation from an experienced attorney. Insurance companies may take advantage of your vulnerability and use this as an opportunity to trick you into lowering the value of your claim, in order to avoid offering fair compensation.

Our Santa Clara slip and fall lawyers will ensure that your rights are protected from these individuals who wish to lowball you.

What to do After a Slip and Fall Accident

There are several steps one can and must take immediately after a slip and fall accident to ensure their safety and maintain the integrity of their 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 hazardous conditions.
• 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 of the accident as soon as possible.
• Note down witness contact details, if any.
• Even if you suspect you may only have minor injuries, you must seek medical care to ensure you have not sustained any internal injuries. Keep track of all your medical records.
• Speak to a slip and fall attorney in Santa Clara as soon as possible. Our experienced Santa Clara personal injury attorneys will help you take appropriate legal action against the party responsible for your injuries and damages.
• Do not give any statements to the property owner’s insurance adjuster until after you have spoken to your slip and fall lawyer.

Contact Our Santa Clara Slip and Fall Lawyers Today

Slip and fall accidents are normal everyday occurrences, but they can result in catastrophic injuries. These injuries can greatly affect the way of life of an accident victim, causing them to miss work days, accumulate rising medical bills, and cause immense pain. You must hold the at-fault parties responsible for their actions.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a slip and fall accident due to the actions of a negligent party, you may be entitled to compensation. At Farahi Law Firm, our Santa Clara slip and fall lawyers understand the difficulty of dealing with the aftermath of an accident. Our team of lawyers, doctors, and case managers is dedicated to winning the maximum compensation possible for all our clients to help them make a physical and financial recovery.

Not only will we handle all the complex paperwork for you, but we will also put you in touch with the best doctors. We will speak to the insurance companies so you won’t have to, and you can focus solely on your recovery.

We are committed to winning, and we have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for accident victims. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t need to pay us a single cent unless we win your case.

Contact us at (408) 715-3296 for free case consultation, today!