Watsonville Slip & Fall Lawyers

What Is a Slip & Fall Injury?

A slip & fall accident is when a person slips or trips on a hazard or obstacle and suffers injuries. If someone else’s negligence played a role in your accident, like leaving a wet floor unmarked, you might have a claim against an individual or a property owner. Speaking with a personal injury attorney can help you understand whether you can recover damages on a trip & fall claim.

What Are Common Slip & Fall Injuries?

Trip & fall accidents can cause serious injuries. While these injuries can be more severe the older you are, a fall at any age can be serious or even fatal. Some common slip & fall injuries include:

• Broken bones;
• Joint sprains;
• Muscle strains;
• Cuts and scrapes;
• Traumatic brain injuries;
• Paralysis; and
• Death.

A slip & fall accident can change your life in an instant. If you have suffered one of these common and potentially devastating injuries, speak with a lawyer today. One of the Watsonville slip & fall lawyers from the Silva Injury Law team would be happy to discuss your case.

Steps to Take After a Trip & Fall Accident

Get Medical Attention

The most important thing you can do after a trip & fall is to seek immediate medical attention. Have a doctor evaluate your injuries. Sometimes head injuries take a few hours or even days to present themselves. If you wait to get medical attention, the opposition may claim that the fall was not the cause of your injury since time elapsed before you were diagnosed. So don’t delay.

Report The Accident

Once you’ve been medically evaluated, report the accident to the police or an authority figure. Common slip & fall injuries often go unreported. This can be a problem later in a lawsuit. It is very important to allow an objective third party to investigate and validate your claims.

Document Your Injuries

If you are able, take pictures of the scene of the accident. Photographs of wet floors and loose bricks often serve as key evidence in trip & fall lawsuits. If you are too badly injured after your accident, ask a witness to document the scene.

Causes Of Trip & Fall Accidents

Slip & fall accidents can happen virtually anywhere. Common causes of trip & fall accidents include:

• Sudden spills;
• Unmarked wet floors;
• Inadequate lighting;
• Loose footing; and
• Scattered construction material.

Property owners need to take reasonable steps to prevent hazardous conditions. If an owner or landlord negligently fails to keep a property in proper condition, they may be liable for your slip & fall injuries.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Slip & Fall Injuries?

What Is Premises Liability?

Slip & fall accidents typically fall under the doctrine of premises liability. This doctrine states that landowners are responsible for the safety of people who are legally allowed to be on their property. If you are trespassing at the time of a trip & fall injury, a landlord or property owner may not be liable for your injuries.

What Is Comparative Negligence

Comparative negligence can limit the amount of compensation you receive if you’re found partly to blame for your injuries. For example, a property owner might say that you deliberately ignored a wet floor sign when you fell. In such a situation, you can still recover damages, but they may be reduced by your portion of fault.

Contact Watsonville slip & fall Attorneys at Silva Injury Law

The Watsonville slip & fall attorneys at Silva Injury Law understand what it takes to succeed when your physical and emotional wellbeing is on the line. We are happy to investigate your accident, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and litigate when necessary. Contact us today for your free consultation.

• Our experienced legal team also handles other types of personal injury cases, including:
  • Motor vehicle accidents;
  • Truck accident;
  • Wrongful death;
  • Product liability;
  • Sexual assault and harassment;
  • Medical malpractice;
  • Dog bites; and
  • other animal attacks.