Los Angeles · Serving California
Los Angeles Slip and Fall Lawyer
A fall on someone else’s property is not automatically a valid claim. The Justice Brothers reviews whether a dangerous condition, a failure to use reasonable care, and the resulting injury can be supported by evidence.
The Justice Brothers · Brian Masjedian · California Bar No. 357298
What needs to be investigated
The review begins with who owned, occupied, or controlled the property; what condition caused the fall; and what the responsible party knew or should have discovered. Evidence that a hazard existed, how long it was there, and whether reasonable inspection or warnings were provided can be important. Civil Code §1714 provides California’s general ordinary-care framework.
Examples include a spill in a store, broken stairs, an uneven walking surface, loose handrails, or an obstruction in a walkway. Each requires examination of the actual circumstances.
Evidence that may disappear quickly
- Photograph the exact condition, surrounding area, lighting, warning signs, and your direction of travel when safe.
- Report the incident to the property representative and keep any report or reference number.
- Save witness contact information, receipts showing your visit, and the shoes worn at the time.
- Identify cameras and request prompt preservation of relevant footage.
- Keep treatment records, bills, and documentation of missed work and limitations.
Private property and public property differ
A claim involving a city sidewalk, public building, or other government property can involve different legal requirements and claim procedures from a private store or apartment. Identify the responsible entity early instead of assuming the ordinary lawsuit deadline is the only deadline.
California’s general deadline for a personal injury lawsuit is two years. A claim involving a California public entity generally requires a separate government claim within six months of accrual, followed by additional lawsuit deadlines. Exceptions and other deadlines can apply; an insurance claim alone does not preserve every deadline. Code of Civil Procedure §335.1; Government Code §911.2.
Request an initial review
An initial case review is free. Before representation begins, ask for the written fee agreement explaining attorney fees, litigation costs, and how any recovery would be distributed. A consultation does not obligate you to hire the firm.
Questions about your case
Does falling in a store mean the store must pay?
No. Liability depends on the condition, the responsible party’s conduct, causation, and the evidence. The occurrence of a fall by itself does not prove negligence.
What if the hazard was cleaned before I could photograph it?
Witnesses, surveillance, inspection records, incident reports, and other evidence may still help. Write down what you observed while your recollection is fresh.
Can I request a review without an incident report?
Yes. Explain where and when the fall occurred, what caused it, and what records or witnesses are available. The absence of a report does not by itself resolve the claim.
Sources and further reading
Practical guides for your next step
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General information, not legal advice. Each case depends on its facts. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship or extend a deadline. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.