Guide to Hiring a Pasadena Slip and Fall Lawyer

To determine if you have a valid slip and fall claim in California, you must prove the property owner was negligent by showing they knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn about it. Documentation is crucial, including photographs of the hazard, medical records, and witness statements. Talking to an experiences injury attorney will help you figure out whether you have a claim worth pursuing.

Yes, California follows "pure comparative negligence" rules, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you're found 30% at fault for your slip and fall accident and your damages total $10,000, you would receive $7,000 (70% of the total damages).

In California, you generally have two years from the date of your slip and fall accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, as established by the state's statute of limitations. However, if your claim is against a government entity (like a city or county), you must file an administrative claim within six months of the incident before you can proceed with a lawsuit. Because the timing can vary, and you don't want to miss this deadline, consulting with a personal injury attorney will make sure you protect your rights.

In a California slip-and-fall lawsuit, you can typically recover economic damages (including medical expenses, lost wages, and future medical costs) as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Additionally, in rare cases involving extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages might be available, though these are uncommon in standard premises liability cases.