Los Angeles Slip and Fall Lawyer

Everything You Need to Know About Slip and Fall Litigation

It’s a cruel irony that a seemingly minor slip can have profoundly negative and long-lasting consequences for our health, finances and quality of life.

The truth is that a single slip and fall often leads to a broken hip, spine or neck, something that can create permanent disabilities or even death.

Slip and falls are also more common than you may think as they result in millions of emergency room visits every year. Federal data shows that nearly 18,000 people die every year from slip and falls, while many more suffer serious injury. Most of these falls are from fairly short distances.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a slip and fall incident and another party’s negligence is to blame, you may be entitled to fair legal compensation.

Slip and Fall Injuries: Understanding How They Occur

One of the most important things to know about slip and fall injuries is that can occur almost anywhere and at any time. However, they are most frequently seen in professional caregiving settings, supermarkets and at the workplace. Slip and falls are responsible for roughly one-quarter of all workplace injury incidents and are the leading cause of worker’s compensation claims for those older than 55.

One of the most common scenarios for a slip and fall involves a surface that is broken, uneven, unreasonably slippery or has some other defect. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, floors or walking surfaces with these kinds of defects are responsible for up to two million falls per year.

These injuries can affect someone of any age but older people face the gravest risk. This is reflected in the numbers: Two-thirds of slip and fall fatalities involve senior citizens. As we age, our bodies become less resistant to fall damage. Bones break and fracture with greater ease, and traumatic brain injuries are a bigger risk.

Finding the Right Attorney

Regardless of your age or where the injury occurred, if you’ve slipped and suffered an injury you may wish to speak to an attorney. The property owner or manager may be liable for your injuries if negligence was present. For example, if the grounds were unsafe or inadequately maintained, liability may be present. A property owner who is aware of a dangerous surface — and does nothing to rectify the problem, may be held legally liable.

While Worker’s Compensation systems are in place to help people who suffer slip and fall injuries, there are some instances in which a workplace slip and fall may require litigation. Additionally, injuries that do not take place within the context of a workplace may require the help of an attorney or litigation. Negotiating with insurance companies is a complex task — as is the process of proving liability.

If any of the above applies to you, we urge you to contact Mansell Mansell Ayala + Villaneda today to learn more about slip and fall litigation. We can help you learn whether you may be entitled to compensation under the law for your injuries.