Maison Law represents slip-and-fall victims in Long Beach. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a slip-and-fall accident, our personal injury attorneys can get you the compensation you need. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer For a Gelson’s Slip-and-Fall Accident in Long Beach?
If you’ve been involved in a slip-and-fall accident, it is advisable to discuss your legal options with a reputable accident attorney. However, it is important to note you most likely won’t need an attorney in a slip-and-fall accident if:
- The accident is minor with no apparent damage
- Your injuries are minor scrapes or small bruises
Serious injuries require the help of doctors, your employer, your insurance, and the guidance of an accident attorney. Partnering with an accident attorney allows them to:
- Connect you to trusted doctors for continued treatment
- Assign liability to all additional parties responsible
- Communicate with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Build your case by gathering concrete evidence to confirm your claim
- Represent you in court if your case goes to trial
What is Needed to Prove Carelessness in a Slip and Fall Accident in Long Beach?
If you file a personal injury lawsuit against Gelson’s, you will be considered the plaintiff in this case and Gelson’s would be the defendant. To recover damages in a slip-and-fall accident, you must establish the following:
- The defendant owned, leased, or controlled the property
- The defendant was careless and did not maintain the property in a safe manner
- You were harmed by slipping or falling on the property
- The defendant’s careless action or hazardous conditions caused you harm
In a slip-and-fall case, a property owner is considered careless when they:
- Allow a hazardous condition to exist on their property
- Knew, through the exercise of reasonable care, that this condition existed
- Fail to repair the hazard, or warn others about the condition
An example of this would be if you’re shopping at the Gelson’s on 2nd St. in Long Beach and you slip on a wet floor, cracking your elbow on the tile. Carelessness would be established if the owner failed to alert shoppers to the hazard of a wet floor with a “Caution: Wet Floor” sign.
In this scenario, Gelson’s would be liable according to California’s Civil Code 1714(a), which states:
“Everyone is responsible, not only for the result of his or her willful acts but also for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property or person, except so far as the latter has, willfully or by want of ordinary car, brought the injury upon himself or herself.”
Common Causes of Slip-and-Fall Accidents in Long Beach
Slip-and-fall accidents are usually a result of a hazardous condition, resulting from a failure to provide a “duty of care” to others. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, slip-and-fall accidents are the third leading cause of unintentional death in the United States. The most common causes of slip-and-fall accidents include:
- Uneven flooring
- Missing stair railings
- Rotten steps
- Loose carpeting
- Wet walkways or aisles
- Icy sidewalks
- Exposed wires
- Poor lighting
- Freshly waxed or mopped floors
What is the Typical Compensation for a Slip-and-Fall Accident in Long Beach?
While slip-and-fall accidents vary on a case-by-case basis, certain factors will largely determine the amount of compensation you can receive. These items can be calculated based on your economic damages and non-economic damages, which include:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Loss of income, as well as the reduction in your earning capacity you’ve suffered from your slip-and-fall accident
- Cost of living with your injury, such as making your home disability accessible, purchasing a wheelchair or crutches, hiring a nurse or housekeeper
- Damage done to your property during the accident
- Pain and suffering caused by your injuries
- Stress and anxiety due to the nature of your accident
The more severe your damages are, the more your compensation you will typically receive. However, for a more specific amount, a California accident attorney can help you understand the value of your case.
Contact a Long Beach Slip-And-Fall Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured due to the carelessness of a person or a hazardous condition in Long Beach, the attorneys at Maison Law can get you the compensation you need. No upfront money is required and we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
