The Law Offices of Matthew J. Quinlan helps people who have been injured in premises liability accidents in San Francisco. These accidents are common and can cause serious injuries. Our personal injury attorneys know how these accidents can affect your life. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn about your legal options.”

When Should You Consider Hiring a Lawyer?

A slip and fall accident can be challenging for several reasons. Not only can it cause injuries, but since it can happen anywhere and anytime, it raises questions about who is responsible and what you should do.

You don’t always need a lawyer, especially if your injuries are minor and don’t require legal action. However, if you’ve been injured in a slip and fall, you do have legal rights. Our team can help you by:

• Walking you through the legal process
• Collecting crucial evidence
• Negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement offer
• Filing a lawsuit, if necessary
• Advocating for you in court and throughout the claims process
  
  

Most of all, we just want to make things easier for you. Dealing with injuries is hard enough, but trying to also protect your legal rights can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where our team can step in and let you focus on your health and family.

Who’s Liable For a Slip-and-Fall Accident?

A slip-and-fall accident is incredibly common in San Francisco, and it’s not hard to see why. There’s any number of places to go in the city, from restaurants to stores. But, one of the biggest questions after a slip and fall accident is who will have to pay for your injury costs and other losses. The answer depends on the specific circumstances of the incident. Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, and liability hinges on factors such as the:

• Location
• Actions or inactions of those involved
  
  

For example, if you were injured in a store during business hours, the establishment is typically responsible for maintaining a safe environment. Conversely, if the accident happened while you were trespassing or in an area restricted to employees after hours, liability may vary.

Generally, though, there’s two main factors that play into liability for a slip-and-fall accident:

• The property owner’s responsibility – Property owners are generally expected to make sure their property is safe. Failing in this duty usually means they’re liable.
• Your reason for being there – If you were in an unauthorized area, the owner’s responsibility may be reduced. However, if your injury came about because of a known hazard the owner or management didn’t take care of in the open area, they could still be held accountable.
  
  

Specifically, various parties could potentially be held liable for your damages after one of these accidents:

• Corporations or store owners
• Property owners or management
• Government agencies at the city or state level
• Tenants or landlords
• Contractors, maintenance workers, and their companies
• Product manufacturers
• Security companies

Even with liability understood, you still have to actually go through the claims process to make a recovery. So then, it becomes important to put together the strongest claim you can.

How Can You Strengthen Your Claim After a Slip-and-Fall Accident?

It’s true that you have legal options after your slip-and-fall accident, but that doesn’t mean you have an automatic ticket to recovering the financial support that the law makes available to you. You have to actually prove your case and put together a strong claim. The good news is that with our team’s help, you can do just that by:

• Get medical attention – Your health comes first. Get immediate medical help, even if injuries seem minor. Tell someone in charge about your injuries and see if they have first aid. It’s also a good idea to call an ambulance to get care at the scene. Some injuries, like concussions, can show up later.
  
  
• Report the accident – At the same time, also tell the property owner, manager, or supervisor about what happened as soon as possible. Request or create an incident report detailing where and how the slip-and-fall happened.
  
  
• Collect evidence – Take photos or videos of the accident scene and any unsafe conditions that might have caused you to slip and fall. Note the date, time, and gather contact information from witnesses.
  
  
• Preserve evidence – Keep any damaged items, such as clothing or shoes, without attempting to repair them. Keeping things in the same condition is very important evidence for your case.
  
  

By taking these steps, you can protect your slip and fall claim and make sure you have the necessary support for your case. It’s also important to be careful when talking about what happened. Insurance companies will try any way they can to devalue your claim, including twisting your words or looking into any comments you make on social media.

How Do You Recover Damages After a San Francisco Slip-and-Fall Accident?

Recovering damages after a slip and fall accident is incredibly important to your physical and emotional recovery. Under the law, there are typically two paths for handling your claim: through an insurance claim or a lawsuit in court. The choice is yours, and our team will support you in making an informed decision.

If you opt for an insurance claim, we’ll assist you in filing with the responsible party’s insurance provider. They will investigate the incident and may offer a settlement. You can accept or reject their offer. If rejected, you can proceed by filing a lawsuit.

In California, a slip and fall lawsuit must be filed within two years of the accident under the state’s statute of limitations for an injury claim. In a lawsuit, you can recover damages for your:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Repair or replacement costs for damaged property
• Loss of companionship or enjoyment of life
• Punitive damages, in cases of intentional or reckless negligence.
  
  

Each slip and fall case varies, and the outcome depends on your specific situation and how your claim progresses. Patience is key, as the claims process can take time.

What Causes Slip-and-Fall Accidents in San Francisco?

Negligence is the key factor that makes a slip-and-fall in San Francisco a legal matter. But that doesn’t necessarily tell you how these accidents happen. Yet, because they’re so common, you might not even think about the causes and what can happen to you when you’re in a slip-and-fall. Further, it depends on the circumstances and where you are. These accidents are most prominent at one of San Francisco’s many:

• Public sidewalks and parking lots
• Shopping malls and stores
• Grocery stores and markets
• Restaurants and bars
• Hotels and resorts
• Offices and workplaces
• Homes and apartments
• Schools and universities
• Hospitals and clinics
• Parks and recreational areas
  
  

Basically, there’s many different causes of these accidents, but most of the time, they happen because of:

• Slippery floors
• Uneven surfaces
• Poor lighting
• Cluttered walkways
• Lack of handrails
• Poor maintenance
• Weather conditions
  
  

Some of these factors, especially in hazardous workplaces like factories, can’t always be avoided. However, these factors often contribute to slip-and-fall accidents. When these accidents happen, it leads to a range of injuries from cuts and bruises to traumatic brain injuries or broken bones. This makes the legal process very important and having our team on your side can make sure you have what you need for a successful claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be held responsible for a slip and fall accident?

You may share some responsibility under California’s “comparative negligence” rule if you were not paying attention or ignored warnings. You can still file an injury claim, though.

If I slip and fall in a store parking lot, who is responsible?

Typically, the store is responsible because the parking lot is part of their property. However, in the case of a shopping center or mall parking lot, responsibility may lie with the company or management that owns the center.

How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim?

You have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim.

Experienced San Francisco Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyers

When you suffer a slip-and-fall accident, it can leave you injured and uncertain. At MJQ Law, our team of San Francisco slip-and-fall accident lawyers is here to support you. With our experience and dedication, we’ll guide you through the legal process. Contact us today for a free consultation to get the process started.