A slip and fall accident could happen anywhere in California, including your own home. When this type of accident happens on someone else’s property, the owner may be liable for your injuries. People commonly sue over slip and fall accidents that happen at businesses, workplaces or city property.
What is a slip and fall accident?
A slip and fall accident could involve slipping on a wet or uneven surface or tripping over objects on the floor. Poor lighting or narrow pathways can also cause slip and fall accidents. Another common cause of these incidents is damaged pavement on sidewalks and parking lots.
What is premises liability?
Premises liability is the legal term for a property owner’s fault for accidents that occur on their property. If guests on a property sustain injuries because of the property owner’s negligence, the property owner would be liable for those injuries. However, the property owner has no liability for injuries that are caused by factors out of their control.
How do you prove fault after a slip and fall accident?
In personal injury cases that involve slip and fall accidents, there is always some subjectivity. However, proving fault usually comes down to the question of whether a dangerous condition on a property was the responsibility of the property owner. If a property owner created a dangerous condition or knew about a dangerous condition, they would be liable for accidents.
What if the property owner was unaware?
If you are suing a property owner after a slip and fall accident, the property owner might argue that they were unaware of the dangerous condition. However, this argument does not always get property owners off the hook. The court may still find that the property owner was negligent because they should have known about the dangerous condition.