You are hurting, you are likely embarrassed, and you are worried about who is going to pay for the medical bills piling up on your counter resulting in personal injury due to premise liabilities. It is common to feel like the fall was your fault—that you should have been more careful or watched where you were stepping—but in many cases, that instinct is wrong.
When a property owner prioritizes profits over safety, dangerous conditions become inevitable traps for innocent people. You didn’t trip because you were “clumsy”; you fell because a business or landlord failed their legal duty to keep you safe. At Haffner Law, we refuse to let insurance companies minimize your pain. We investigate the scene, secure the evidence, and fight to ensure you are fully compensated for your slip and fall injury due to premise liabilities.
It Wasn’t Just “Clumsiness”—It Was Negligence
Insurance companies rely on your embarrassment to avoid paying out claims, hoping you will accept the narrative that the accident was simply a result of not paying attention. We flip that script by demonstrating that the hazard should never have been there in the first place.
Proving “Constructive Notice” (They Should Have Known)
This is the core of most cases. We don’t always need to prove a manager saw the spill. We prove “Constructive Notice”—meaning the hazard existed long enough that they should have seen it if they were doing their job.
- The Evidence: If a spill is sticky, dried at the edges, or full of footprints, it proves it was there for a long time. That evidence confirms they failed their duty to inspect the aisles.
Overcoming the “Open and Obvious” Defense
The defense will argue that any reasonable person would have seen the hazard. We counter this by looking at the context.
- Was the lighting poor?
- Were you distracted by a store display designed to catch your eye?
- Was the floor color similar to the spill (camouflaged hazard)?
We prove that under the circumstances, the danger was hidden enough that you could not have reasonably avoided it.
Common Slip and Fall Cases We Handle in Los Angeles
From high-traffic supermarkets to poorly maintained apartment complexes, dangerous conditions can appear anywhere property owners cut corners.
- Grocery Stores & Retail Businesses: Leaking refrigeration units in aisles or freshly mopped floors with no “Wet Floor” signage are a recipe for disaster. If the staff mopped the floor but failed to warn you, the store is liable for the resulting fall.
- Apartment Complexes & Rental Properties: Landlords in Los Angeles have a duty to maintain common areas. We handle claims involving poor lighting in stairwells (creating “blind traps”), broken handrails, or torn carpeting that causes trips.
- Sidewalks & Government Property: Los Angeles is notorious for tree roots uplifting sidewalks. Warning: If you trip on a city sidewalk or in a public building, you usually have only six months to file a claim. Do not wait.
- Parking Lots & Garages: Burned-out bulbs in parking garages hide potholes, oil patches, and cracked wheel stops. When a property owner neglects lighting maintenance, they are creating a trap for anyone walking at night.
- Workplace Accidents (Third-Party Claims): If you are a delivery driver, vendor, or contractor injured at someone else’s job site, you are not limited to Workers’ Comp. You can file a lawsuit against the negligent property owner for full damages.
- Hotels & Resorts: Slippery pool decks, worn lobby rugs, and unsafe bathtub surfaces in hotels or short-term rentals often lead to serious injuries for guests.
The Evidence We Must Secure Before It Disappears
Time is the enemy in slip and fall cases because the evidence we need to prove your case is often owned by the very people we are suing.
Preserving Surveillance Footage (The “Black Box”)
Security cameras are unbiased witnesses, but the footage is not kept forever. Many businesses overwrite their video files every 24 to 72 hours. If we do not send a legal Spoliation Letter immediately, the footage proving the floor was wet for an hour before you fell could be deleted forever.
Why Insurance Adjusters Are Not On Your Side
After a fall, an adjuster may call you acting concerned, asking for a recorded statement. Do not be fooled. They are trained to twist your words—asking “Are you okay?” so they can record you saying “I’m fine” before your adrenaline wears off and the real pain sets in. Never speak to them without a lawyer.
Serious Injuries Demand Full Compensation
These accidents often result in life-altering trauma that goes far beyond minor bruises.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): When your feet slip out, your head often strikes the hard tile. Concussions can lead to memory loss and personality changes.
- Hip Fractures & Broken Bones: For older adults, a hip fracture can permanently reduce mobility. For others, wrist and arm fractures are common as you instinctively try to break your fall.
- Spinal Cord Damage: The twisting motion of a fall can herniate discs or tear ligaments (ACL/MCL) that may require surgery.
What Is Your Case Worth?
Our goal is to make you whole again financially. We calculate damages based on:
- Medical Bills: Reimbursement for the ambulance, ER visit, surgeries, and future physical therapy.
- Lost Wages: Compensation if you missed work or if your injury forces you to take a lower-paying job.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical agony and the loss of enjoyment of life (e.g., unable to play with your kids or sleep comfortably).
Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Slip and Fall Claims
What steps should I take immediately after a slip and fall?
- Report the accident to a manager immediately (ensure an incident report is created).
- Take photos of the scene, specifically the hazard (the spill, the crack).
- Get contact info for any witnesses.
- See a doctor right away, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks injuries.
How much is the average slip and fall settlement?
There is no single “average” because every injury is different. A case involving a soft-tissue injury might settle for medical bills plus pain and suffering, while a case involving a hip surgery or TBI can result in a significantly higher payout to cover lifetime care. We consult with medical experts to value your specific case properly.
Can I sue if there was a “Wet Floor” sign?
Yes, you might still have a case. A sign does not automatically absolve the store of liability. Was the sign hidden? Was it placed in the wrong spot? Was the entire aisle blocked off, or just a small section? We investigate whether the warning was actually effective.
Do I really need a lawyer for a slip and fall?
If you have sustained any significant injury, yes. Insurance adjusters are experts at denying these specific claims by blaming the victim (“Open and Obvious” defense). Without a lawyer to subpoena video footage and maintenance logs, you are fighting a corporate legal department alone.
Don’t Let Them Blame You. Get a Case Review.
The property owner has a legal team and an insurance company working hard to protect their profits. You need a team that is dedicated to protecting your future. Don’t wait until the evidence is gone. Contact our Los Angeles slip and fall attorneys today for a confidential consultation. Let us help you get back on your feet.
