San Pedro Slip and Fall Lawyer

San Pedro Slip and Fall Attorney

Slipping, tripping, or falling on another person’s property can cause severe injuries. A San Pedro slip and fall lawyer can review the circumstances of your accident and determine if a property owner or other party may be liable for your injuries. Under California premises liability law, individuals who own or control property are generally expected to exercise reasonable care to protect visitors from harm.

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere in San Pedro, including businesses near the LA Waterfront, apartment complexes, parking lots, and properties around Gaffey Street. There’s also significant foot traffic coming to and from the Port of Los Angeles, Vincent Thomas Bridge, and connecting to I-110 and SR-47.

The owner or occupant of any property may be liable depending on how a dangerous condition came to exist and whether the responsible party had adequate notice of the hazard.

Slip and Fall

Contact Hobbs Law Group 24/7 to schedule a free case review with a slip and fall lawyer. You will not pay us anything unless you win.

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About Hobbs Law Group

At Hobbs Law Group, we advocate for those who sustained serious harm because of another person’s negligence, recklessness, or wrongful actions. We dedicate ourselves to securing the compensation our clients need, from the first meeting all the way through to a courtroom verdict.

We offer free consultations, and our cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. You won’t have to pay any legal fees upfront, as our attorney’s fees are covered by the settlement or jury award we secure.

Property Owner Responsibility

Under California Civil Code § 1714, individuals can be held accountable for injuries stemming from a failure to exercise ordinary care in property management. Depending on the circumstances, premises liability law could require an owner or property manager to use reasonable care to discover potential hazards. They must either fix the problem or provide adequate warnings of its existence to the public.

A hazard by itself does not necessarily lead to liability. Injured individuals usually need to prove that the defendant knew about the hazard or should have discovered it through reasonable diligence. The concept is sometimes referred to as actual or constructive notice.

For instance, if someone spills liquid in a grocery store aisle and a person slips 30 seconds later, it may not be reasonable to assume the property owner or manager knew about the spill. However, if it is discovered that the spill happened hours prior and no one inspected the area, cleaned it, or placed a wet floor sign to alert the public, the injured party may have a stronger claim.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Falls are especially hazardous for elderly individuals. Among Californians 65 and over, falls resulted in 2,521 fatalities, 114,427 hospital admissions, and 317,582 emergency room visits in 2023. Falls are the most common cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries in this age group, according to the California Department of Public Health.

These accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Our San Pedro slip and fall attorney may investigate accidents caused by conditions such as:

• Wet or slippery floors
• Broken railings
• Debris on the ground
• Uneven pavement
• Cracks in the floor or ground
• Water or ice in walkways
• Insufficient lighting

Negligence by a third party can also cause accidents. For example, someone may slip and fall because a city failed to maintain the sidewalks outside a store.

California Pure Comparative Negligence Rule Explained

California uses a pure comparative negligence rule. In other words, injured people might be able to recover damages even if they are partially to blame for the accident. However, any compensation award could be reduced by their percentage of fault.

For instance, property owners may claim the injured party was distracted by a cellphone or did not notice an obvious warning sign. If the injured party was deemed 10% at fault and the property owner 90% at fault, the damages the injured party could generally recover would likely be decreased by 10%.

However, if you do decide to file a claim, you must do so within the legally allowed timeframe. According to California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury. There can be different deadlines that apply depending on the specific facts of the slip and fall case, such as if government property is involved. It’s important to hire a slip and fall lawyer in San Pedro, CA to assist you in your case.

FAQs About San Pedro, CA Slip and Fall Laws

What Should I Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident?

Immediately after a slip and fall accident, you should notify the property owner, manager, or employee, if you can do so safely. Take photos or video of the area where you fell and try to get contact information from any witnesses. Preserve any clothing or shoes you had on at the time of the accident. Also, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The sooner you see a doctor, the more likely you are to establish a clear connection between your injuries and the accident.

Can I File an Injury Claim in San Pedro if I Didn’t Know I Was Injured Right Away?

Yes, it is possible for you to file a claim in San Pedro even if you didn’t know you were injured right away. Some injuries, such as concussion and internal injuries, may not manifest symptoms until later. If you visit your doctor or seek medical treatment soon after a fall, they can determine whether your subsequent pain or symptoms were caused by the fall.

What Happens if There Is No Video Footage of My Fall in California?

If there is no video footage of your fall in California, it doesn’t mean that you are not going to be able to recover damages. Other evidence that can be used includes photographic evidence of your injuries and the conditions that contributed, eyewitness accounts, and doctors’ notes. It’s important to gather as much information as soon as you can, as evidence may be erased.

Can More Than One Party Be Responsible for a Slip and Fall Accident in San Pedro?

Yes, more than one party can be responsible for a slip and fall accident in San Pedro. If more than one entity controls the property where you slipped and fell, each may bear some responsibility. For instance, the owner of a property may hire a property management company to handle the maintenance and repair of common areas.

Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer Today

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, Hobbs Law Group can represent you. We understand slip and fall laws and can help you understand how they relate to your case. Contact us today for your free consultation.