At Fuller Law Firm, we understand that an unexpected fall can leave a person injured, unable to work, and burdened with costly medical bills. "Slip and fall" or "trip and fall" injury claims are usually considered "premises liability" cases. When a property owner or custodian fails to properly maintain a premises, environmental hazards and other dangerous conditions can cause injuries to visitors on that property. California law requires that landowners remove or fix issues which present an unreasonable risk of harm to those who visit the property legally. These laws apply to both business owners and homeowners.
A slip and fall accident can become a personal injury case when a property owner or custodian's negligence leads to the injury or death of a person visiting the property. According to California law, a person who owns, occupies, or controls a property is negligent if he or she fails to repair unsafe conditions on the premises or fails to warn visitors to the property about the hazardous condition. Not every falling accident leads to a personal injury claim. The injured person must have sufficient evidence that the property owner or custodian's negligence led to his or her injury in order to receive compensation.
Sometimes, a person may slip and fall and walk away with only small scrapes and bruises. However, some falling accidents lead to severe injuries which significantly reduce the injured person's quality of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 800,000 people require hospitalization after a slip and fall accident each year in the U.S. Approximately one out of every five falling accidents causes significant injury which requires medical treatment. Injuries which often lead to personal injury cases include but are not limited to:
Falling accidents can lead to more than just pain and suffering. Fall victims are often left with overwhelming costs relating to their injuries. In fact, the CDC estimates that medical expenses for fall-related injuries totaled more than $50 billion in the year 2015 alone. Through a personal injury claim, you may be able to receive compensation for medical expenses, including costs related to an emergency room visit, hospital stay, medical treatment, surgery, wound care, physical therapy, prescription medication, and more. You may also be eligible for compensation for your lost wages resulting from time away from work, as well as for your pain and suffering.
Sometimes, a fall can cause injuries so severe that the falling victim does not survive them. This is especially true when the fall occurred in especially dangerous conditions or when the victim is an elderly person with other health concerns. If a fall led to or contributed to the death of your loved one, you may consider filing a wrongful death claim. These types of claims seek compensation for the survivors' losses. Damages in a wrongful death claim can include medical expenses, lost wages from the deceased, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and more.
If you have been hurt in a fall accident, or you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another party, contact our office to learn how the Fuller Law Firm may be able to help. Schedule a free initial consultation and case review by calling 408-234-7563 today. We represent slip and fall accident victims in Santa Clara County, Alameda County, San Jose, Gilroy, Palo Alto, Fremont, and the surrounding areas.