Pomona Slip and Fall Lawyer
If I Get Hurt In a Store, Can I Sue?
Accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Being injured in a minor accident is a fact of life. About 25 million Americans go to the hospital or doctor every year for injuries sustained in accidents. Of the accidents a person can experience outside of car accidents, the most common are slip-and-falls. In fact, with over 8.5 million people admitted to the ER for injuries sustained in slip-and-fall accidents every year, it represents one of the leading causes of injury in the United States.
In most instances, people slip and fall in their own homes. When this happens, there’s usually no one to blame. However, in many cases, slip and fall injuries are both preventable and someone else’s responsibility. This is especially true when you venture out into public. If you are at a store, restaurant, government building, or some other public venue, and you experience a slip-and-fall injury, there is a good chance it is due to someone else’s negligence. This is because, in most instances, public spaces are responsible for providing safe environments for anyone passing through.
If you or a loved one were injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you must contact our personal injury attorney to protect yourself. A personal injury attorney can review your case, help determine who’s responsible, and help you collect the compensation you deserve.
What Counts as a Slip and Fall Injury?
Any injury you sustain from slipping and falling in a store or other public space counts as a slip and fall injury. Slip and fall injuries can be as minor as cuts and contusions suffered following a minor trip or as severe as head and neck injuries and broken bones from a more serious fall down a flight of stairs or onto a hard surface. Common causes of slip and fall injuries include, but do not necessarily exclude:
- Spills or Leaks
- Loose Tiles, Floorboards, or Carpet
- Poorly Maintained or Poorly Lit Stairs
- Broken Stairs
- Uneven Surfaces
- Failure to Label Freshly Washed or Polished Floors
- Clutter/Debris
These are only a few potential causes of slip-and-fall injuries. Public spaces should be well-lit, easily navigated, and free of hazards such as wet or cluttered floors. Failure to properly label or address hazards places store owners and others at liability risk.
Who is Responsible if I’m Hurt in a Slip and Fall?
Under California law, stores and public venues are responsible for providing safe environments for anyone who chooses to come to the establishment. This includes spaces like sports arenas and stadiums, and government buildings such as the DMV. This responsibility is called a duty of care. Duty of care refers to the legal obligation of certain parties to prevent injury, harm, or property damage to others. In the instance of a business such as a grocery store or department store, the company would have the duty of care to provide a safe shopping environment.
Duty of care includes things such as making sure dangerous conditions are quickly cleaned or clearly labeled, lighting is sufficient, floors and stairs are even and in a good state of repair, and more. A person or entity with a duty of care is expected to address extant issues and be aware of dangerous conditions that could arise. For example, if there is a spill in a store, even if the owner does not know about it, they may still be liable if someone trips and falls because they were aware of the potential for spills but were not vigilant in monitoring for them. If the property owner knew about the unsafe conditions but failed to address them, they can potentially be held even more liable. Our experienced attorney can review the facts of your case to determine who might be responsible for your injury.
How Much Can I Sue for if I’m Hurt in a Slip and Fall?
The amount of money you sue for will depend on multiple factors, including the extent of your injuries, the circumstances of your accident, and other mitigating factors. Generally, the worse you were hurt, the more you will seek in fair compensation.
Slip and fall personal injury claims are usually divided between two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages refer to compensation for tangible economic losses such as hospital and doctor bills, physical therapy costs, the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property, and lost income. Injuries due to slipping and falling are one of the leading reasons employees miss work in the United States. This translates into lost wages.
An attorney will also seek non-economic damages. Non-economic damages are compensation for intangible losses. Non-economic damages include compensation for pain and suffering, post-traumatic stress, mental anguish, and more. A personal injury attorney can review the precise circumstances of your case, your hospital and doctor’s bills, and any lost wages and help determine an appropriate amount to seek in compensation for your injuries.
What Should I Do if I’ve Been in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Slip and fall accidents are a fact of life. Most of the time, they happen in our own homes and are no one’s fault. When a slip and fall occurs outside the house, though, it’s usually preventable, and you may be entitled to compensation.
Don’t rush to talk to an insurance company if you or a loved one was hurt in a slip-and-fall accident. Instead, call T.J. Juneja at Wolf Law Firm today at (833) 388-8888. Wolf Law Firm has a proven track record in handling personal injury claims and knows how frustrating and potentially frightening it can be to be injured in public and away from home. Seeking compensation for your injuries and expenses may seem challenging. Depending on where you were hurt, you may think the business or store owner is “too big” to go after. At Wolf Law Firm, “too big” aren’t words in our vocabulary.
No matter where you were injured, T.J. Juneja and his experienced legal team will fight to get you what you deserve. No case is too small for us, and no responsible party is too powerful for us to hold accountable. If you or a loved one were hurt in a slip and fall accident in Pomona, San Bernardino, or Riverside County, call Wolf Law Firm today for your no-obligation consultation.