Maison Law can help you if you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident in Redding. There’s never a good time to be in a slip-and-fall accident, whether it happens while you’re grabbing groceries, walking the aisles of a store, strolling through Turtle Bay Exploration Park, or climbing the stairs at your own apartment complex. That’s where we come in. We’re here to make the process manageable so you can get back to normal. Set up a free consultation to get started.
When Should I Talk to a Lawyer?
After a fall, many people try to shrug it off. You might feel embarrassed or think, “I’ll be fine.” But even a slip that seems minor can lead to lasting injuries like concussions, back issues, or torn ligaments that don’t show up right away.
Not every fall calls for legal help—if you’re bruised but otherwise okay, you probably don’t need a lawyer. But if your injuries keep you from your normal routine, if medical bills start adding up, or if you’re left wondering who’s responsible, it’s worth getting advice. Talking to a lawyer doesn’t mean you’re rushing into a lawsuit. It simply means you’re learning about your rights and options. Our lawyers can:
- Explain the law in plain English
- Figure who may be responsible
- Gather and keep important evidence
- Handle talks with insurance companies
- Guide you through claims or lawsuits if needed
Even if you’re unsure, meeting with us can give you peace of mind. You focus on getting better—we’ll handle the legal side if it becomes necessary.
What Can Help My Slip-and-Fall Accident Claim?
Once you decide to move forward with a claim after your slip-and-fall, it becomes important to start thinking about what information you can get to help your claim. The good news, relatively speaking, is that there’s always going to be certain evidence and information that you can start getting, like:
- Accident reports – Ask for an incident report if you fell in a store, apartment complex, or public facility. Whether it’s a spill at Raley’s or a broken handrail in an apartment, getting it in writing helps create a record.
- Medical records – Keep everything: ER reports, X-rays, prescriptions, and physical therapy notes. These connect your injuries directly to your fall.
- Pictures and video – A quick picture of a puddle at WinCo, cracked pavement downtown, or a pothole in the Mt. Shasta Mall parking lot can be powerful evidence.
- Lost income records – Keep your pay stubs and schedules to show the financial impact your accident has had on your job.
- Notes and witnesses – Write down your version of what happened. If someone saw you fall—say, a bystander at Caldwell Park or a fellow shopper at Costco—their statement can strengthen your claim.
Think of this information as the building blocks. With it, you can put together a strong claim and get the most out of the process. But it’s not automatic.
How Can I Recover Damages in a Slip-and-Fall Claim?
Slip-and-fall accidents are legally similar to car accidents: someone’s negligence led to harm, and you have the right to seek damages. In Redding, that usually happens through:
- An insurance claim out of court – Most slip-and-fall claims start here. For example, if you slipped in a store on Churn Creek Road, the business’s insurance policy would handle the claim. The insurance company may offer a settlement, but those offers don’t always reflect the true cost of your recovery.
- A personal injury lawsuit – If an insurance company won’t treat you fairly, filing a lawsuit may be necessary. This puts your case in front of a judge or jury and opens the door to a more complete recovery of “damages” like:
- Medical bills (current and future care)
- Lost wages while you’re unable to work
- Reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to your old job
- Pain and suffering from lasting injuries
- Emotional stress, like anxiety or depression after the accident
- Damage to personal items, like broken glasses or a cracked phone
- Loss of enjoyment of life—missing out on hikes, bike rides, or even playing with your kids because of your injury
California law gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. That may sound like plenty of time, but waiting can make your case harder. Hazards get repaired, security footage gets erased, and memories fade. Taking steps early can help, but it’s more important for another reason–figuring out who has to pay for your damages.
Who Pays for My Damages in a Slip-and-Fall Claim?
In most slip-and-fall cases, the property owner—or sometimes the property manager—is the one legally responsible for the accident. This is because California law requires them to:
- Keep their property reasonably safe for visitors.
That “duty” can look different depending on the setting:
- A landlord making sure stairwells in an apartment complex near Lake Boulevard are well-lit and free of hazards
- A store manager at Costco making sure spills are cleaned up before someone gets hurt.
- The city government making sure sidewalks aren’t broken and are in working order.
When an owner or manager doesn’t take those basic steps, and their negligence causes an accident, they (or more often, their insurance company) have to pay your damages. It’s not always straightforward, though. Sometimes responsibility is shared:
- A commercial landlord might be responsible for structural issues, while a tenant business is responsible for day-to-day upkeep.
- A cleaning company under contract could be on the hook if they failed to do their job properly.
- In government-owned spaces, special rules and shorter deadlines often apply.
- California’s comparative negligence rule also applies. That means even if you were partly at fault—for instance, if you tripped while texting outside a restaurant—you can still recover damages. They’re just going to be reduced by your share of responsibility.
At the end of the day, a fall shouldn’t leave you drowning in medical bills or struggling to cover lost wages. That’s why it’s so important to sort out who’s actually responsible—sometimes it’s a landlord, sometimes it’s a store, and sometimes it’s more than one party. A lawyer’s job is to untangle that for you, so the financial burden doesn’t land on your shoulders.
And the truth is, slip-and-fall accidents can happen just about anywhere in Redding—from busy shopping centers to quiet apartment complexes. Some spots, though, tend to be more common than others.
Where Do Slip-and-Falls Usually Happen in Redding?
A fall can happen just about anywhere, but in Redding there are certain spots where the risk is higher–espeically when negligence is involved. Still, some places just tend to create more problems than others, like:
- Sidewalks and crosswalks – Downtown streets like Market, Pine, and California can have cracked or uneven pavement. Poor lighting at night makes it even easier to trip.
- Stores and markets – Busy spots like Costco, WinCo, or neighborhood grocery stores see a lot of foot traffic. Spills, cluttered aisles, or freshly mopped floors without warning signs are common hazards.
- Apartments and rentals – Older complexes along Hilltop Drive, Bechelli Lane, or Lake Boulevard may have loose stair treads, shaky handrails, or dimly lit hallways. Landlords are supposed to keep these areas safe, but that doesn’t always happen.
- Parking lots and garages – From Mt. Shasta Mall to smaller shopping centers along Cypress Avenue, puddles after rain, potholes, and oil slicks make these areas easy to slip in.
- Parks and trails – Places like Caldwell Park, Enterprise Park, and the Sacramento River Trail are popular for joggers, families, and dog walkers. Loose gravel, mud, or uneven dirt paths can create hidden hazards, especially for kids or older adults.
- Event spaces – The Civic Auditorium and Shasta District Fairgrounds can get crowded during concerts, fairs, and other events. Spilled drinks, cluttered walkways, and packed areas all increase the chance of a fall.
As you can see, the risk of a slip-and-fall is always there when you’re walking around. But what separates a random accident from potential legal action is when your injuries could have been prevented. Our team knows how to help you show this and get what you need to recover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be partially at fault for my fall?
Yes, but that doesn’t prevent you from filing a claim. Under California law, you can still recover damages even if you were partly responsible.
What if my fall happened on public property?
If you slipped on city property—like a sidewalk, park, or government building—you may need to file a claim against a public agency. These cases have stricter rules and shorter deadlines, sometimes just six months, so it’s important to act quickly.
Do I have a claim if I wasn’t badly hurt?
Maybe. Some injuries take time to show up. A sore back today might turn into a herniated disc weeks later. It’s always worth getting checked out and speaking to a lawyer.
Contact Maison Law After a Slip-and-Fall in Redding
Slip-and-fall accidents are frustrating because they’re often preventable. A landlord could have fixed that broken step. A store could have cleaned up that spill. Instead, you’re left with medical bills, time away from work, and the stress of recovery. At Maison Law, our Redding slip-and-fall accident lawyers take pride in standing up for people that have been hurt because of this negligence. Don’t wait–reach out today to set up a free consultation and let’s talk about moving forward.
