Sacramento Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Our Sacramento slip and fall accident lawyers understand the challenges involved in these injury cases and know the best way to build a solid case to prove negligence. To learn more about how our law firm can help, call now for free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

 

Unfortunately, seeking compensation from the at-fault party may not be straightforward. The insurance company representing the property owner may attempt to downplay the case's value by disputing liability for the incident or disregarding the severity of the injuries involved. Our slip and fall accident attorneys can conduct an independent investigation of the incident, collect and preserve evidence, and build a strong case for financial compensation. Call our legal team today to schedule a free consultation regarding your potential claim.

Finding an Experienced Slip and Fall Attorney

Any attorney you are considering handling a slip-and-fall case for you should have extensive experience handling these different types of incidents because each will have unique aspects that must be adequately proven to resolve your case.

How to Bring a Claim for a Slip and Fall Accident

Here are a few tips on successfully pursuing a slip and fall lawsuit. If you or a family member has been injured in this type of accident, please review these tips carefully - your case could depend on it.

From a legal standpoint, slip and fall injuries differ significantly from traffic accidents in a critical manner: The conditions that caused a slip and fall injury can much more easily and quickly be "cleaned up" or "lost" than the physical evidence resulting from a traffic incident. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, gathering and preserving evidence from the incident is critical.

Using Pictures as Evidence for a Slip and Fall Case

• Take pictures of the location where you fell, especially the floor surface, as soon as possible to capture the condition at the time of your fall.
• If possible, take photographs of the condition of your clothing and shoes immediately following the accident.
• Take pictures of any rugs, mats, or slip prevention fabrics at the site. If the location fails to have any of these fabrics or any other type, take photos to show the lack of the safety items.
• Take photographs of any warning signs that might be in the area of the location of the accident.
• If you sustained a visible injury such as a cut, bruise, or scrape, take a picture of the injury to preserve the state of the injury at the time of the injury.
• Take as many photographs as possible - no matter how trivial you might think it is. Your attorney will decide what is and what is not essential.

Statements of Witness(es)

• Take the name, address, and telephone number of any potential witness and save this information someplace where it will not be lost.
• Return to the accident scene, and visit any nearby homes or businesses, if applicable, for any potential witness(es) to the accident.
• Revisit the scene of the accident several times and at the same time when the accident occurred. Some people have a habit of driving by or stopping by the accident location as part of their typical day. You may be able to find a witness.
• If you can get witness contact information, do not call, talk, or try to get any written statements from them. Let your lawyer contact them.

Physical Evidence

• Most importantly, save the shoes that you were wearing at the time you slipped and fell. Place them inside a plastic garbage bag so any materials stuck to the shoes will remain.
• Store all of the articles of clothing you were wearing at the time of the accident in a plastic bag in a safe place where they will not be lost. Do not wash them.
• If possible, do not leave the accident scene getting an accident report that the manager, owner, employee, or other person has filled out while in your presence.
• If the item you slipped on is non-perishable, save a sample in a safe place where it will not be lost.
• If the item is perishable, i.e., vegetable, or fruit, try to preserve the thing in a liquid chemical preservative or freezer.

More Helpful Information

A government study has shown that slip and fall incidents cause 15% of all accidental deaths and are second only to motor vehicle accidents as a cause of unintentional fatalities.

A variety of helpful information about preventing slip and fall injuries is available through the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's website: Walking-Working Surfaces (SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS)

In the wintertime, snowy, icy, or wet sidewalks present a particular danger for slip and fall injuries. An article describing the risks and concerns of these conditions from the U.S. Department of Transportation can be read in [pdf] format here: Ice, Snow, and Slippery Sidewalks.

Sacramento Slip and Fall Accident FAQ