A slip and fall accident can result in painful and debilitating injuries, including bone fractures and head injuries.
At Jacoby & Meyers, our premises liability lawyers represent individuals involved in slip, trip and fall accidents in Riverside and throughout Southern California.
Our Riverside slip and fall lawyers have years of experience handling these matters for clients.
Let our office and team handle matters related to your claim while you focus on healing after a slip and fall. Contact us today at (951) 720-3007 to begin with a free initial case consultation..
Attorney Fees Depend on a Recovery
$1.95 Million Premises Liability Settlement*
*Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers
- We put our clients first at every stage of the claims process. Our team is composed of lawyers, medical case managers, and other team members who assist clients throughout the legal process.
- Jacoby & Meyers has a factually substantiated record of securing more than $2 billion in recoveries for clients. This includes a $1.95 million premises liability settlement obtained in a case involving a California municipality and allegations of dangerous property conditions. Please be advised: Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.
- Our slip and fall attorneys in Riverside operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney fees depend on a recovery. Clients may remain responsible for certain advanced case costs depending on the circumstances.
Common Types of Slip and Fall Accidents in Riverside
Fall accidents are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in the United States, according to the National Safety Council.
In 2022, 46,643 people lost their lives in fatal falls both at home and in the workplace.
Where Slip and Falls Occur
Slip and falls can happen anywhere in Riverside, but are especially common in locations where hazardous conditions may be present.
Frequently reported fall locations include:
- Grocery stores and retail establishments
- Restaurants and bars
- Shopping malls and parking lots
- Hotels and resorts
- Apartment complexes and rental properties
- Sidewalks and public walkways
- Workplace facilities
- Construction sites
- Medical facilities and hospitals
- Parks and recreational areas
- Private residences
Business owners have a duty of care regarding the safety of customers in Riverside.
Government entities, landlords, employers and homeowners may also be responsible for fall accidents that occur on their premises under certain circumstances.
Common Hazardous Conditions
Fall accidents in Riverside are 100 percent preventable.
They typically arise due to a property owner failing to maintain a safe environment for lawful guests, visitors and workers.
Common examples of premises hazards that can lead to falls are:
- Wet or slippery floors (due to spills, cleaning, weather, etc.)
- Uneven surfaces and broken pavement
- Poor lighting and visibility issues
- Torn carpeting or loose flooring
- Cluttered walkways and obstacles
- Exposed cords or wires
- Missing handrails on stairs
- Potholes in parking lots
- Defective stairs or steps
- Inadequate warning signs
Under California law, property owners have a duty to address foreseeable fall hazards and remedy them within a reasonable time after discovery.
Otherwise, a fall accident may occur.
Common Injuries From Slip and Fall Accidents
A fall accident in Riverside can lead to trauma-related injuries from the impact between your body and the ground or floor surface.
If you strike objects on the way down, such as a staircase or desk, this can inflict additional impact injuries.
Common injuries seen in emergency rooms from fall accidents include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head injuries and concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and back trauma
- Soft-tissue injuries (sprains and strains)
- Shoulder injuries and dislocations
- Knee and ligament damage
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
- Chronic pain conditions
- Wrongful death
Slip and fall accidents can be catastrophic, resulting in much more than just scrapes and bruises.
Falls from heights can be deadly. Older adults are at higher risk of suffering severe injuries and health complications from falls.
If your loved one suffered a fatal injury from a slip and fall accident, you may wish to speak with a wrongful death attorney in Riverside about possible legal options.
Understanding Premises Liability Law in California
If you get hurt in a slip and fall accident in Riverside, it may be appropriate to determine whether you have grounds to file a premises liability claim.
Premises liability is an area of law that governs a property owner’s responsibility to prevent unsafe and hazardous conditions.
Breaching this duty of care is known as negligence and may give an injured person grounds to file a civil claim seeking financial compensation.
Property Owner Responsibilities
The specific responsibilities a property owner has in terms of preventing slip and fall accidents vary based on the type of property and visitor.
There are three visitor classifications:
- Invitee: someone who has been invited to the property for the owner’s benefit, such as a customer at a business. Invitees are owed the highest standards of care. The owner must inspect the property for hidden hazards, repair known risks, and warn visitors of potential dangers.
- Licensee: someone with permission to enter the property, such as a social guest. A landowner in Riverside has a duty to warn licensees of dangers that might not be obvious, but generally is not required to inspect for unknown hazards.
- Trespasser: someone who does not have permission or lawful authority to be on a property. Trespassers are owed the least duty of care, with certain exceptions for trespassers under the age of 18.
Proving a slip and fall accident claim requires evidence that the defendant owned, controlled or occupied the property; the defendant was negligent in meeting his or her duty of care to maintain a reasonably safe property; and the plaintiff suffered an injury or damages as a result of the defendant’s negligence.
Why You Need a Riverside Slip and Fall Attorney
Slip and fall claims frequently involve complex questions of liability. Under California’s pure comparative negligence standard, any recovery for documented losses is reduced by the claimant’s percentage of responsibility for the incident. For example, if a claimant is found to be 20% at fault, the total recovery permitted under law would be reduced by 20%. Our legal team performs comprehensive evidence collection necessary to document the circumstances of the incident and address defenses related to shared fault.
An attorney in Riverside with experience handling slip and fall accident cases can help guide you through the claims process and interactions with insurance companies.
Our legal team provides professional advocacy to help you navigate the complexities of a premises liability claim. We perform investigations into the circumstances of the fall, document the evidentiary record, and address legal defenses that may arise. Our role is to pursue recovery permitted under California law for documented medical expenses and other losses.
Your lawyer can help navigate the elements and laws involved in your slip and fall case, such as multiple liable parties and a potential court trial, while you concentrate on healing.
Contact a Riverside Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
Navigating the legal process after a slip and fall injury in Riverside may require careful documentation of the facts of the incident and identification of potentially liable parties. A Riverside personal injury attorney can assist with pursuing recovery permitted under California law for medical expenses and other documented losses.
Jacoby & Meyers has been representing slip and fall clients in California for more than 50 years.
Contact us online or call (951) 720-3007today to discuss your situation in detail with a slip and fall accident lawyer at no cost or obligation. We have 14 offices conveniently located throughout California.