Slip and Fall Lawyer Attorney in Baldwin Park, CA
Most people don’t realize the severe injuries that can happen from a slip and fall accident. Injuries can range from minor sprains to lifelong disability. Working with a Baldwin Park slip and fall lawyer can help protect your legal rights after suffering such an incident.
Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer With Years of Professional Experience
When you meet with one of our personal injury attorneys at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor, you won’t be treated as just another case number. Our team understands the responsibility we have as legal advocates for those who need it most. We’ve fought to secure substantial compensation for our clients, such as:
- $850,000 for a client who sustained a traumatic brain injury after slipping and falling on an unknown liquid in a local restaurant
- $1,375,000 for a client who required multiple surgeries after getting caught in an open drainage pipe
- $653,000 for a client who suffered many injuries after falling in her workplace due to a roof leak
Our goal is to protect California’s most vulnerable residents during difficult times in life.
How California Courts Determine Fault in a Slip and Fall Case
Falls can happen anywhere and often occur because of another party’s failure to maintain a safe environment. In 2023, 34 California construction workers died because of falling incidents at their workplace.
In California, property owners must keep their premises reasonably safe. If they know or should know about a dangerous condition and fail to fix it or warn visitors, they may be held liable for any injuries that occur.
While owners and occupiers have their own legal responsibilities, visitors have a duty to be aware of their surroundings. Sometimes, both the property owner and the injured person share responsibility for the incident, and the court determines how much each party was at fault under California’s comparative negligence rule.
Even if you’re found to be partially at fault for the incident, you can still recover compensation. Any compensation awarded to you will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example:
- If a grocery store has a huge spill down an aisle with no ‘wet floor’ sign or anyone working to clean it, the owner of the store may be assigned 70% at fault for the incident.
- If you were texting while walking and slipped on the liquid, you may be assigned 30% at fault.
- If you’re awarded $100,000 in compensation, it would be reduced by 30%, making your final compensation $70,000.
The Types of Damages That Can Be Pursued in a Slip and Fall Case
The compensation awarded in a slip and fall case in Baldwin Park is never random, but based on the real losses you’ve suffered because of the accident and your resulting injuries. California courts allow victims to pursue two main types of damages:
- Economic damages. These damages are calculated based on your monetary losses since the incident. They can include your surgeries, medications, physical therapy, mental health counseling, medical aid devices, and other medical bills. They can also include any lost income due to you missing work from your injuries, as well as damage to your personal belongings during the incident, such as your cell phone or bag.
- Non-economic damages. These damages are more subjective, but just as important as economic damages. They cover emotional losses, such as pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. It can be helpful in your case to write a journal of your emotional suffering. This can help show the court the extent of your pain.
During your consultation, be sure to explain to your attorney how you’ve struggled since the incident. Our attorneys offer empathy and don’t judge the pain of our clients. They are dedicated to pursuing maximum compensation that covers all of your damages.
In specific cases, punitive damages may be pursued. These damages allow victims to recover even more compensation in cases where the wrongdoer acted with extreme malice, negligence, oppression, or fraud. These damages are meant to further punish the guilty party and deter any similar actions from happening in the future.
If your case proceeds to court, it will likely be handled at the El Monte Courthouse at 11234 E. Valley Blvd. in El Monte.
Steps to Take After Suffering a Slip and Fall Accident
After suffering a slip and fall incident, there are key steps to take to help preserve your safety and legal case. Be sure to:
- Call 911 and seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries may not show symptoms until later on. In 2022, there were 26.2 million emergency room cases of unintentional injuries in the United States, and 47,026 deaths due to falling incidents. Even if you only have minor injuries, having official documentation of them can help your legal case.
- Get the contact information of the responsible party while waiting for police and paramedics to arrive. If they refuse to cooperate, don’t argue with them. Wait for law enforcement to collect their information on your behalf.
- Collect the contact information of anyone who witnessed the incident. Your lawyer will be able to get their official testimony to help strengthen your case.
- Take extensive photos and videos of the incident site, your visible injuries, and any damage to your personal belongings. It’s vital to get documentation of what caused your accident, such as unstable flooring or wet floors.
- Hire a slip and fall lawyer to help you navigate the next steps.
During this time, don’t admit fault or apologize to anyone for the incident. While it can be a natural reaction to do so, it can ultimately harm your legal case.
Choose a Trusted Personal Injury Law Firm in California
Contact Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor today to learn how we can help you. During your confidential consultation, you’ll be able to explain your circumstances in detail and express your desired outcome. Our Baldwin Park slip and fall attorneys will then offer transparent legal advice to help you make informed decisions regarding your case. We are dedicated to helping our clients pursue justice after a slip and fall incident.