Accidents can happen anywhere, and pedestrians are vulnerable to slipping and falling in businesses as well as on private residences.
After a fall, you might suffer a devastating injury that requires immediate medical attention.
Unfortunately, medical treatment costs money—money you might not have.
You might also miss work because of your injuries. If so, you should contact a Long Beach slip and fall injury attorney as soon as possible.
An Attorney Can Analyze Whether You Have a Valid Legal Claim
California Civil Code section 1714 imposes on all landowners a duty to manage their property with ordinary care and skill. To sue a property owner for compensation, you will need to show that they did not meet this obligation.
For example, a premises owner might be negligent for:
- Failure to warn of any hazards, such as holes in the ground or water on the floor
- Failure to fix hazards in a prompt manner, such as replace loose tiles or worn carpeting
- Failure to inspect the property to find hazards
No two slip and fall cases are the same, so a lawyer will need to analyze the surrounding circumstances to check whether you can hold the premises owner responsible.
A Lawyer Can Help You Gather Evidence
You will need quality evidence if you hope to receive a settlement or win a lawsuit. In particular, you will need to establish that a hazard existed on the property which injured you.
For example, you might have slipped because of:
- Worn carpets
- Loose tiles
- Rainwater on surfaces
- Liquid spills on the floor
- Poor lighting that makes it hard to see
Unless you took a picture of the hazard immediately after the accident, you will need to gather proof of what caused you to slip. Depending on the circumstances, a lawyer can help you:
- Find surveillance video that shows your fall
- Investigate the building codes on any potential violations of the property
- Request any and all incident reports for the fall and any prior falls
- Return to the property to take pictures or video of the hazard, if it still exists
- Collect witness statements from people who saw you slip and fall
A Lawyer Can Negotiate with a Defendant
Most lawsuits do not go to trial because both sides have an incentive to settle. As the injured plaintiff, you can benefit by getting access to financial compensation faster than if you sue. However, settlement negotiations are complex, and an inexperienced negotiator can make many mistakes.
By hiring a slip and fall injury lawyer in Long Beach, you will set yourself up to maximize the compensation you receive. Our lawyers understand the tricks that property owners and their insurers play to minimize their legal liability, and we have secured many favorable settlements. We are also prepared to go to trial if necessary to get you the compensation you deserve.
Speak with a Long Beach Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer
Injured victims are often too scared to speak up and demand compensation when injured through no fault of their own. Let us be your voice. At the Beliz Law Firm, we have decades of experience fighting for our clients, and we will leave no stone unturned as we work for you. To schedule your free consultation, please call 562-452-3772.
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