Slip And Fall Lawyer Santa Monica, CA

Injured in a Slip and Fall in Santa Monica? We’re Here to Help

Imagine going about your day, walking through a grocery store or into the DMV, when suddenly, your feet skid, and you go flying. A slip and fall accident is more than just an embarrassing blunder. It can change your life, and the injuries you suffer may be severe. If you hit your head when you fall, you may suffer a brain injury. Or, you may have sprained or broken both wrists—most people instinctively put out their hands to break the fall, and the impact can easily damage the small bones and delicate ligaments in your wrist. Our skilled Santa Monica, CA slip and fall lawyer can help you get the money you need for medical care and other losses.

At Choulos & Tsoi Law Firm, we focus on the needs of accident victims like you. You have rights, including the right to file a civil claim for negligence against the property owner of the place where you fell. We help you understand your legal options after a fall, and we can draft your claim and handle all the legal matters related to it. Contact our firm today for a complimentary case review.

What Does a Santa Monica Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Do?

Slip and fall accident attorneys are personal injury lawyers who litigate premises liability claims, which are claims against a negligent property owner or manager after someone comes to harm on their property. Property owners are responsible for maintaining their premises so that it is safe for guests and visitors. If they fail to do so, either by leaving it in disrepair or by failing to keep it in a clean, safe condition (like cleaning up slips that someone could slip in), then they can be held liable for the harm someone suffers if they fall.

We investigate the incident and gather evidence proving that the property owner was negligent, such as security camera footage of your fall, satisfaction, and maintenance records that a business may keep, and witness accounts of the accident. Our focus is on either negotiating a fair settlement with the property owner’s insurance company or taking your case to trial and presenting our evidence to a jury.

Damages Available in a Slip and Fall Case

Damages refer to the losses you suffered after a fall, material and non-material. You are entitled to claim compensation for all necessary medical care, replenishment of wages you didn’t earn because you missed work to heal, and any property damage when you fell, like a phone or watch. You also deserve compensation for your non-material losses. This includes the pain and suffering you have from your injuries and the trauma and anguish you may feel. You may not be able to enjoy activities you once did because of your injuries, so we ask for compensation for your diminished quality of life, too.

Our firm utilizes expert witness testimony, such as medical experts who attest to the cause of your injuries and vocational experts who determine the impact of your injuries on your ability to work. We focus on your needs today and any future needs that may arise, such as treatment for complications from your injuries.

Strong Legal Support in Premises Liability Claims

If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, you may have grounds to seek compensation in a premises liability claim. A Santa Monica slip-and-fall lawyer from our firm can help. Call Choulos & Tsoi Law Firm today for a free consultation.

Key Elements of a Strong Slip and Fall Claim

Slip and fall accidents are among the most common types of personal injury cases, but not all falls automatically lead to a valid legal claim. In order to pursue compensation for injuries sustained in a slip and fall incident, it’s essential to demonstrate that the property owner or responsible party was negligent in some way. A strong slip and fall case hinges on several key elements that must be established in order to have a successful case. Get experienced legal help for your personal injury claim by contacting Choulos & Tsoi Law Firm and scheduling a free consultation with our Santa Monica, CA slip and fall lawyer.

Proving Property Owner’s Duty of Care

The foundation of any slip and fall claim is establishing that the property owner owed you a duty of care. Property owners, whether for residential, commercial, or public spaces, are legally required to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for visitors, customers, and tenants. This duty extends to anyone legally on the property, including guests, employees, and customers.

In order to prove a slip and fall claim, you must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition that caused your fall. For example, if there was a spill in a grocery store aisle, the store owner or staff must either have known about it or should have discovered it within a reasonable amount of time. The duty of care also involves taking reasonable steps to repair or warn visitors about any dangerous conditions, such as slippery floors, uneven sidewalks, or poorly lit stairways. If the property owner failed to take action to address the hazard, it could be a sign of negligence and form the basis of your claim.

Demonstrating Negligence or Knowledge of the Hazard

Once our Santa Monica slip and fall lawyer establishes the duty of care, the next key element in building a strong case is proving that the property owner was negligent, or that they had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition. Negligence refers to the failure to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm. A property owner may be found negligent if they did not repair a known hazard or failed to warn visitors about it in a timely manner.

It’s crucial to show that the owner knew about the hazard or should have known about it. For example, if a business owner has received multiple complaints about wet floors in a hallway but has not addressed the problem, this could show that they were aware of the danger and failed to act. If you fell because of a hazard that the property owner had plenty of time to fix, or if they ignored standard safety protocols, this can strengthen your case for negligence.

Constructive knowledge means that even if the property owner didn’t directly know about the hazard, they should have known. In cases where a hazard was present for a prolonged period, a property owner can be expected to have noticed it and taken corrective action. A strong slip and fall claim will typically include evidence that the hazard had been present for enough time that the owner should have discovered it during regular maintenance or inspections.

Proving Causation and Injury

The final critical element in a slip and fall claim is proving that the fall directly caused your injury. This factor can sometimes be the most challenging part of a case, particularly if the injury is not immediately apparent or if you did not seek medical treatment right away. To establish a direct link between the fall and your injuries, medical documentation is crucial.

It’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible after a slip and fall incident, even if you don’t feel pain immediately. Many slip and fall injuries, such as soft tissue damage, sprains, or head trauma, may not show symptoms right away but can worsen over time. If you wait too long to seek treatment, the opposing party may argue that your injuries were unrelated to the fall or were caused by another incident.

A strong slip and fall claim is built on the three fundamental elements of duty of care, negligence or knowledge of the hazard, and clear evidence that the fall caused real injuries. Establishing these factors requires careful documentation, timely medical attention, and a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the accident.

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident and believe the property owner is at fault, call Choulos & Tsoi Law Firm now. Our firm believes in holding others accountable for their actions and obtaining justice and fair compensation for our clients. Our Santa Monica slip and fall lawyer offers free 30-minute consultations.  We have a desire to help and a determination to win.

Common Injuries We See In Slip And Fall Cases

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, from grocery stores and parking lots to office buildings and sidewalks. These accidents may seem minor at first, but they often cause serious injuries that lead to medical bills, missed work, and long-term recovery.

At Choulos & Tsoi Law Firm, we have worked with many people who were hurt in slip and fall accidents and needed help moving forward. Below are seven of the most common injuries we see in clients who have been through these types of incidents.

Broken Bones

Wrists, arms, ankles, and hips are especially vulnerable when people try to catch themselves during a fall. These injuries can require surgery, physical therapy, and time away from work. Our Santa Monica slip and fall lawyer can help you recover costs related to treatment and lost wages.

Head Injuries

Hitting your head during a fall can cause serious problems, including concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. Even a mild head injury can affect your ability to concentrate, work, and complete daily tasks. More severe injuries may lead to long-term medical care and support.

Back And Spinal Injuries

Falls can cause injuries to your back and spine, ranging from muscle strains to herniated discs. In more severe cases, people may experience nerve damage or limited mobility. These injuries can impact your daily routine and may require ongoing care, making it important to seek legal help if a dangerous property condition caused your fall.

Shoulder Injuries

Slip and fall accidents often cause shoulder injuries, such as dislocations or torn rotator cuffs. These injuries typically happen when someone falls awkwardly or tries to break their fall. Recovery can involve surgery and months of physical therapy, which may keep you out of work and limit your usual activities.

Knee Injuries

Knees often take the impact of a fall, leading to injuries like ligament tears, fractures, or cartilage damage. These injuries are not only painful but can also affect your ability to stand, walk, and work. In some cases, long-term physical therapy or surgery may be needed. Our Santa Monica slip and fall lawyer can help you understand your options if you’ve suffered a knee injury from a fall.

Cuts And Bruises

While cuts and bruises may sound minor compared to other injuries, they can still cause lasting problems. Deep cuts might require stitches or leave scars, while large bruises can be painful and limit your movement. In some cases, these injuries are a sign of more serious damage beneath the surface.

Hip Injuries

Falls are one of the leading causes of hip injuries, especially in older adults. A fractured hip can require surgery and a long recovery process. In many cases, people with hip injuries need help with daily activities and may face ongoing medical needs after the injury.

Enlist Legal Advocacy Today

If you were hurt in a fall and are dealing with any of these injuries, our Santa Monica slip and fall attorney team is ready to help. We understand how a serious injury can affect your life and want to work with you to seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation so we can discuss your case and your next steps.

Slip And Fall FAQs

Slip and fall accidents can happen in an instant, often leaving people with painful injuries, unexpected medical bills, and time away from work. If you were hurt in a fall on someone else’s property, you might have questions about your rights and what steps to take next. Our Santa Monica slip and fall lawyer has compiled a list of common questions people ask when dealing with a situation like this.

What Should I Do Immediately After A Slip And Fall Accident?

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall, your first priority should be your health. Seek medical attention right away, even if the injury doesn’t seem serious at first. Next, try to document the scene. Take photos or videos of the area where you fell, especially if there were hazardous conditions like a wet floor or broken pavement.

If there were any witnesses, get their contact information. Report the incident to the property owner or manager and request a copy of the incident report. The sooner you contact our Santa Monica slip and fall attorney, the better prepared you’ll be to protect your rights.

What Are Common Causes Of Slip And Falls?

Falls often happen because a property owner failed to fix or warn about a dangerous condition. Common causes include wet or slippery floors, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, broken handrails, or cluttered walkways.

Outdoor areas can become hazardous due to cracked sidewalks or spills that aren’t cleaned up. Many of these issues could have been prevented with proper upkeep. If you’ve experienced an injury because someone failed to fix or address a known hazard, you may have a case worth pursuing with help from our skilled Santa Monica slip and fall lawyer.

How Do Slip And Fall Claims Differ From Other Personal Injury Claims?

While all personal injury cases are based on harm caused by someone else’s actions or negligence, slip and fall claims usually focus on property-related dangers. These cases often involve proving that the property owner knew—or should have known—about the hazard and didn’t take reasonable steps to fix it.

Unlike a car accident where fault is usually more clear-cut, slip and fall claims often rely heavily on documentation, witness accounts, and sometimes surveillance footage. It’s important to work with someone who is familiar with these types of claims so nothing important is overlooked.

Can I Still Recover Damages If I Was Partially At Fault For My Fall?

Yes, you can still pursue compensation in California even if you were partly to blame. California follows a rule called comparative negligence. This means that your recovery might be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you, but you’re not automatically barred from seeking damages.

For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault for not noticing a warning sign, you could still recover 80% of your total damages. Our California premises liability lawyer can review the details of your situation and explain how this might apply in your case.

How Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Assist Me After A Slip And Fall Accident?

A personal injury lawyer helps by reviewing your case, collecting evidence, and speaking with the insurance company on your behalf. They can also help calculate the full amount of your losses, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

If your case needs to go to court, your lawyer will represent you during the legal process and work to build a strong case. At the Choulos & Tsoi Law Firm, we take a hands-on approach, keeping you informed and involved throughout your case while focusing on getting you the compensation you deserve.

Address Your Questions With Your Attorney

Slip and fall injuries can be frustrating and disruptive, but you don’t have to handle the legal process alone. If you were hurt in a fall, speaking with our Santa Monica slip and fall lawyer can help you understand your options and take the next step forward. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help you move forward.