Slip, Trip & Fall Injury Attorneys in Rancho Bernardo California
Proving fault in a slip, trip, or fall case can be difficult without help from a personal injury lawyer who will fight for you.
People who are injured on someone else’s property may be entitled to financial compensation for their injuries. California premises liability law states that property owners have a basic duty to use reasonable care to keep their property in a safe condition. A person or business who owns, leases, occupies, or controls property must use reasonable care to discover any unsafe conditions, and to repair, replace, or give adequate warning of anything that could be reasonably expected to harm others.
Premises liability law covers a broad range of incidents, including slip and fall, trip and fall, and injuries caused by an object, person, or animal. Falls are one of the most common accidents that occur due to unsafe property conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 800,000 people are hospitalized each year because of fall-related injuries. Most of these injuries are fractures and head injuries. One out of every five falls causes a serious injury, such as head injury and broken bones. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury.
Slips, Trips & Falls are Expensive. Obtain the Compensation You Need to Make a Full Recovery
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you have a right under California law to pursue money damages from the property owners.
Making premises liability claim can be an expensive and challenging process requiring in-depth legal knowledge. Our Rancho Bernardo slip & fall attorneys at Savage Law have experience and knowledge of premises liability law. Savage Law understands the importance of helping its clients with the costs and expenses associated with a slip, trip, or fall case. Hire a dedicated attorney who is willing to invest in you and your personal injury case. Call Savage Law to discuss your case and injuries with an premises liability lawyer.
Common Causes of Slip, Trip & Fall Accidents in California
When it comes to injuries from slips, trips, and falls, every incident will have a unique set of circumstances. When a person or business fails to make necessary efforts in keeping their property safe, a dangerous fall accident can cause people to suffer severe injuries. Some of the most common causes of slip, trip, and fall accidents are: Sidewalks, walkways, aisles, and stairs that are cracked, uneven, crooked, or broken; Floors that are wet or slippery; Carpeting that is frayed, worn, bunched, rough, or torn; Spills and leaks; Uncovered cords, cables, and wires; Insufficient lighting; Holes, indentions, or depressions in floor or walkway; Stairwells without a handrail, or that are broken, too short, or too far away; Common areas of a property that have hazardous, unsecure, or poorly placed displays, advertisements, shelving, or other obstacles.
Common Injuries Suffered After a Slip, Trip & Fall Accident
A slip, trip, or fall accident can cause minor to severe injuries. Some common types of severe injuries include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, that disrupts the normal function of the brain. According to the CDC, traumatic brain injuries are some of the most common injuries suffered in the aftermath of a fall accident.
The severity of a traumatic brain injury can range from mild to severe. A mild TBI can cause a concussion or brief change in consciousness. A severe TBI can cause an extended period of unconsciousness or memory loss. Traumatic brain injuries can result in short or long term changes affecting:
- Thinking – memory and reasoning;
- Sensation – sight and balance;
- Language – communication, expression, understanding;
- Emotion – depression, anxiety, personality changes, aggression, acting out, and social inappropriateness
A traumatic brain injury can also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The negative effects of a TBI can cause permanent damage to the injured victim. Many people who fall and hit their head fail to recognize the severity of their head injury, and do not seek a medical evaluation.
It is important that a qualified medical doctor diagnose the severity of a traumatic brain injury. The amount of compensation in a TBI case is dependent on several factors, such as a reliable medical diagnosis and prognosis, past and future medical treatment, and the help of an experienced attorney to obtain the full value of the damages.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue refers to tissue that connects, supports, or surrounds other structures and organs of the body. Examples of soft tissue are muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. When left untreated, soft tissue injuries can have long term effects, such as chronic pain. Soft tissue injuries are classified as:
- Contusion – bruising often caused by blunt force from a fall or blow. A contusion causes pain, swelling, and discoloration from bleeding into the tissue;
- Sprain – a partial tear to a ligament often caused by twisting, turning, or rolling movements. Sprains often affect ankles, knees, or wrists. Surgical repair may be needed if the ligament is completely or fully torn;
- Tendonitis – inflammation of the tendon, a flexible band of tissue that connects muscles to bones. Some treatments used to heal tendonitis are rest, compression, elevation, and anti-inflammatory medicine. Steroid injections are used for some types of tendonitis if chronic pain persists;
- Bursitis – inflammation of the bursa, a fluid filled sac that provides a cushion between bones, or muscles and tendons;
- Strain – injury to a muscle or tendon often caused by force or stretching.
Bone Fractures
A bone fracture is a complete or partial break in a bone. Fractures are extremely painful injuries that are very slow to heal. Fractured bones must be set in their proper position and held in place to heal properly. Some fractures do not heal properly, which can result in ongoing pain and loss of functionality. The cost of medical treatments and a loss of income can place a heavy financial burden on victims of fractured bone injuries.
Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal cord is a column of nerve tissue that runs from the base of the skull down the center of the back. The spinal cord is protected by a bony spinal column made up of vertebrae. The spinal cord works in conjunction with the brain to make the body’s command center.
Spinal cord injuries occur when the bony protection surrounding the cord is damaged by a fracture, burst, dislocation, compression, hyperextension, or hyperflexion. Serious injury to the spinal cord can result in a complete or partial paralysis. These injuries can take an extreme physical, financial, and emotional toll on the injured victim.
Slip, Trip & Fall Accident Attorneys in Rancho Bernardo
When an injury from a slip, trip, or fall occurs as a result of a property owner’s negligence, the injured victim has the legal right to pursue monetary compensation for their economic and non-economic damages. If you have been injured on someone else’s property, speak to a slip and fall attorney in Rancho Bernardo, CA who will fight for you and the best outcome for your case.
Savage Law will conduct a thorough investigation to gather any available evidence of your incident. Our qualified attorneys will obtain available surveillance footage, witness statements, incident reports, police reports, inspection sheets, sweep sheets, and records of prior incidents on the property. The evidence obtained will be used to your advantage to prove that the property owner is liable for your injuries. Savage Law will relentlessly fight for you and the compensation you deserve. Contact Savage Law for a free consultation with an experienced injury attorney.