Maison Law can help you if you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident on government property in Bakersfield. When you’re on a sidewalk, walking through the courthouse to vote, or at the library with your child, you’re not expecting to be injured in a slip-and-fall. But it happens more often than you think, and when it does, our team can help you through the process. Set up a free consultation.
Do I Need to Get a Lawyer?
If you slip and fall on government property in Bakersfield, things start moving faster than most people expect. Your rights don’t vanish just because the property is publicly owned—but the rules are different, and the deadlines are tighter.
This is usually when people realize they could use help. Not because they’re looking to turn something into a lawsuit right away, but because they want straight answers before time quietly runs out. We can make sure that doesn’t happen, and we can also:
- Sort out what likely caused the fall and whether it was preventable
- Explain how California law applies when the property is government-owned
- Find out which city, county, or state agency actually controls the area
- Get and keep evidence before the hazard gets fixed or cleaned up
- Take some of the stress off while you focus on getting better
Not every slip-and-fall needs a lawyer. But when the government is involved, reports get filed quickly, repairs happen fast, and the clock starts running whether you realize it or not. Getting clarity early can make a real difference later.
Where Do Slip-and-Fall Accidents Happen on Government Property in Bakersfield?
Most government-property falls in Bakersfield don’t happen in dramatic or restricted places. They happen in everyday spots—places people walk through without thinking twice. That might be around:
- Downtown government buildings near Truxtun Avenue and Chester Avenue, where people are coming and going all day. Entryways get slick, concrete settles unevenly, and worn steps don’t always get immediate attention.
- The Kern County Superior Court annex, especially on sidewalks leading in from public parking or near courthouse entrances. People are often distracted, rushing inside, or focused on what they’re dealing with inside the building—not what’s under their feet.
- Public sidewalks along Truxtun Avenue, Union Avenue, and California Avenue are another common issue. Over time, cracked pavement, uneven patches, and lifted concrete become easy to miss—until someone trips.
- Beale Memorial Library and other city or county buildings. Slick floors, poor lighting, worn staircases, or uneven entryways can all lead to falls when there aren’t clear warnings.
- The city school district campuses and Bakersfield College are another overlooked spot. Parents attending events, picking up kids, or walking across campus after hours often encounter cracked walkways, outdoor stairs, or temporary construction zones that aren’t clearly marked.
- Parks and recreation areas, including Hart Memorial Park and similar public spaces. Uneven walking paths, raised concrete from tree roots, slick restroom floors, and worn picnic areas are all common causes of falls.
- City- or county-owned parking lots attached to government buildings can be a problem. Poor lighting, broken curbs, uneven pavement, and faded markings don’t always stand out—until you’re already hurt.
What these places have in common is simple: the hazard usually didn’t appear overnight. It was there long enough that someone should’ve noticed and dealt with it.
Who’s Liable When There’s a Slip-and-Fall on Government Property?
Even though the property is publicly owned, a slip-and-fall is still technically a premises liability claim. So then, the basic question is the same as any other slip-and-fall:
- Did the property owner—or whoever was responsible for the area—know about the fall risk, or should they reasonably have known about it, and fail to fix it?
So ultimately, it comes down to control and inaction. With that, liability might fall on:
- A city, county, or state agency
- A public school district or campus system
- A private maintenance or property management company
- Outside contractors handling cleaning, repairs, or construction
- Security providers responsible for monitoring conditions
- In some cases, a third party that created the problem
This is where things get confusing. Government property is often overseen by multiple groups, and responsibility isn’t always obvious just by looking at a building or sidewalk. Sorting that out can take a long time–-and with a government claim, time is something you don’t have a lot of.
What Kind of Claim Do I File After a Slip-and-Fall on Government Property?
When a slip-and-fall happens on government property, the process usually falls under the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA). This doesn’t take away your right to file an injury claim—but it does change how and when you have to do it. Under the CTCA:
- You generally must file a formal notice of claim within six months of the injury.
- Your damages must exceed $10,000
- The government then has 45 days to review and respond
This is where many people get caught off guard. They focus on recovery, assume they have time, and don’t realize that the six month deadline is much shorter than a normal injury case. However, if you file things correctly, you can still get damages like:
- Medical expenses, now and in the future
- Lost income or reduced earning ability
- Repair/replacement costs for damaged personal property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Changes to your quality of life
In some situations, the fall may happen on government property, but a private company or person is actually responsible. When that’s the case, the claim may follow a more typical injury timeline where you have two years to file. Still, it’s important to act quickly.
Set Up a Free Consultation After a Slip-and-Fall on Government Property in Bakersfield
A slip and fall on government property can be frustrating in a very specific way. You were just walking where you were expected to walk. Then all of a sudden, you’re on the ground and in pain. Injuries linger or bills start stacking up, it helps to understand your options before deadlines quietly close the door.
At Maison Law, we’re here to help you make sense of government property slip-and-fall claims. We’ll walk you through what applies to your specific situation and help you decide what makes sense next. Set up a free consultation today to get the process started.
