If you were injured in a slip and fall accident in a store or business, you may have a case to make to get compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. This article explains how to build a case against the business owner to prove that your injury is the result of their negligence, and why you should hire a Los Angeles personal injury attorney to help you get the justice you deserve.
Proving Liability in a Slip and Fall Claim
Slip and fall cases can be complex, but an experienced personal injury lawyer can help determine who is liable and negotiate a fair settlement. They can investigate the scene, gather witness statements, and fight for maximum compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
To prove the defendant’s liability in a slip and fall accident claim, you must first show that the property owner or manager had a duty to keep the premises reasonably safe and failed to do so. In a public place like a store, restaurant, or office building, the owner has a duty to regularly inspect the property and correct or warn of any dangerous conditions.
In some situations, multiple parties may share fault for your accident. For instance, if a store employee was aware of a spill but failed to clean it up promptly or warn customers, the store owner and employee could be found negligent. Your attorney will work to identify all responsible parties, so you receive full and fair compensation.
Evidence That Can Prove Fault
To prove negligence in a Los Angeles slip and fall case, your lawyer will gather several types of evidence to support your claim. Photos, videos, witness statements, medical records, and documentation of damages can all serve as visual and written evidence of the events surrounding your accident.
Visual Evidence
Photos and videos of the scene where your slip and fall occurred can provide concrete proof of any hazards or unsafe conditions that led to your accident. Things like cracked or uneven flooring, spills, or debris in walkways should be documented as soon as possible after a fall.
Witness Statements
Eyewitness accounts from people present at the time of your fall can corroborate your version of events. Their statements may describe noticing the unsafe conditions that caused your accident before you fell, seeing you slip and fall, or witnessing your resulting injuries. Witnesses may also testify in court to what they observed.
Medical Records
Your medical records, bills, and invoices related to treatment for any injuries sustained in your fall may serve as evidence of the severity of your accident. Records of diagnoses, treatments, therapy, medication, medical equipment, and other expenses can demonstrate the impact of your injuries.
Accident Report
If emergency responders arrived at the scene, an official accident report may have been filed. This report can include details about the location and cause of your fall, as well as the nature of any injuries you suffered. Your lawyer can obtain a copy of this report to use as evidence.
Hire the Right Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Slip and Fall Lawsuit
Don’t go it alone. Insurance companies want to avoid paying out claims, so they’ll look for any reason to deny your case. Finding an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer is crucial to having a strong case against negligent property owners or managers.
Call Los Angeles Lawyers led by Attorney Derek Lee today at 818-960-6155 for a free case evaluation. Our firm has years of experience helping clients get the compensation they deserve after suffering injuries in slip and fall accidents.