Can I Sue A Property Owner After A Slip-And Fall?

Many people consider slips, trips and falls to be mere annoyances that result from a person’s clumsiness or lack of awareness. They are surprised to learn that falls are third on the list of causes of unintentional injury-related fatalities.

In fact, in the year 2015, approximately 34,000 individuals died because of falls both in and out of their homes.

Workplace injuries from falls are a real danger to employees, but falls also are hazards to shoppers and others who happen to be on the premises of a property where maintenance is lax or negligent.

Store owners and property managers are responsible for maintaining their premises free of hazards. When a problem arises, e.g., the carpeting is worn and torn and prone to catching on people’s shoes as they walk through a store, the business owner or manager must repair the problem or replace the carpeting in order to prevent injuries to customers.

Sometimes, it’s not a defect that leads to a dangerous fall. Perhaps the building’s janitor uses way too much floor wax, causing a resident to step off the elevator and go sprawling. The business owner would still bear the liability for that resident’s injuries.

Below are other common examples that can lead to claims of premises liability:

• Lack of signage regarding dangerous conditions, e.g., “wet floor”
• Unmarked and uneven surface areas
• Only correcting a portion of the problem and leaving the rest unrepaired
• Unlit stairways
• Lack of handrails on stairs
• Wobbly steps
• Malfunctioning elevators or escalators
• Debris-strewn stairways
• Puddles left on floor from rain or spilled liquids

If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident here in Pomona, it’s important that you understand that you have rights under California law to seek compensation for your injuries and related damages.