A slip and fall accident occurs when a person slips, trips, or loses their footing on someone else’s property and is injured as a result, often because of a hazard the property owner should have addressed. These accidents are frequently dismissed as minor, but a hard fall can cause lasting harm and significant financial strain.
If you were hurt in a fall that a careful property owner could have prevented, trust Rodriguez & Associates slip and fall lawyers to pursue the accountability and compensation you deserve. Our Bakersfield catastrophic injury attorneys hold negligent property owners accountable so you can focus on healing. Call us at (661) 777-7575 for a free case review to discuss your accident and the options available to you.
Why Choose Rodriguez & Associates for Your Slip and Fall Case?
- Our attorneys have secured some of the highest personal injury verdicts in Kern County history, recovering more than $1 billion for injured clients. We will aggressively pursue the maximum compensation available on your behalf.
- We pair the resources of a large firm with the personal attention of a small one. You work directly with attorneys who keep you informed and treat your recovery as the priority.
- We take slip and fall cases on a contingency basis, so there are no upfront costs and no fee unless we win. Your job is to recover while we hold the responsible party accountable.
How a Bakersfield Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Secure the Recovery You Deserve
Property owners and their insurers know that slip and fall victims often do not realize how strong their claim is, or how much it is truly worth. As a result, they may push you toward a quick, low settlement or suggest the fall was your own fault, hoping you accept far less than your case is worth. Rodriguez & Associates work to close that gap and level the playing field between you and the parties trying to minimize your claim.
From day one, our Bakersfield slip and fall accident attorneys work to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. We obtain the surveillance footage, incident reports, and maintenance records that show how long the hazard existed, then bring in safety and medical professionals to connect that hazard to your injuries and project what your recovery will require. From there, we calculate a full, documented value for your claim and shoulder every communication and negotiation, so you are free to concentrate on getting better.
How to Prove That a Bakersfield Property Owner Was Negligent
Winning a slip and fall claim depends on proving that the property owner’s negligence caused your injury. You can establish that a property owner is legally responsible for your fall by proving the following four elements of negligence:
- Duty: The property owner owed you a duty to keep the premises reasonably safe.
- Breach: They failed to meet that duty by allowing a hazard to exist or by ignoring one they should have fixed.
- Causation: That hazardous condition directly caused your fall and your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered measurable harm as a result of the slip and fall accident, such as medical bills or lost income.
A central question in these cases is whether the owner knew, or reasonably should have known, about the danger and had time to address it. Evidence such as surveillance video, cleaning and inspection logs, and witness accounts helps establish that knowledge and the owner’s failure to act.
Damages You Can Recover in a Slip and Fall Accident Case
California law allows slip and fall victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover the financial losses tied to your injury, while non-economic damages compensate you for the personal toll the accident has taken.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to recover:
- Hospital bills, surgery, and the cost of ongoing medical care
- Rehabilitation expenses, including physical and occupational therapy
- Income lost during your recovery, along with diminished future earning ability
- The cost of assistive devices, home modifications, or in-home care
- Physical pain and the discomfort that lingers through recovery
- Emotional distress, including anxiety and depression tied to the injury
- Permanent scarring, disfigurement, or lasting disability
- Diminished ability to enjoy the activities and relationships you once did
How Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in Bakersfield?
Slip and fall accidents usually trace back to a hazardous condition that a property owner failed to fix or warn visitors about. They can happen in grocery stores, restaurants, parking lots, apartment complexes, office buildings, and private homes throughout Bakersfield.
When a property owner allows these dangers to persist, they can be held responsible for the injuries that happen as a result. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Wet or recently mopped floors without warning signs
- Spilled liquids or food left on walkways
- Uneven, cracked, or broken flooring and pavement
- Torn carpeting or loose floor mats
- Poor lighting in stairwells, hallways, or parking areas
- Cluttered or obstructed walkways
- Missing or broken handrails and guardrails
- Potholes and uneven surfaces in parking lots
Common Injuries After a Slip and Fall Accident
While some falls cause only minor bruising, others leave victims with serious, lasting injuries. Older adults are especially vulnerable to serious injuries after a fall due to factors like weaker bones, reduced balance, and slower reflexes. However, a fall can turn serious for anyone when the body strikes a hard surface at an awkward angle or the head makes contact with the ground.
Injuries our attorneys frequently see in slip and fall cases include:
- Broken or fractured bones, particularly in the wrists, hips, and ankles
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
- Sprains, strains, and other soft-tissue damage
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Cuts, bruises, and abrasions
- Facial injuries, including dental damage
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
Schedule a Free Case Review with Rodriguez & Associates Today
A slip and fall injury can leave you with financial hardship and lasting pain through no fault of your own. Rodriguez & Associates will fight to ensure that everyone responsible for your injuries is held accountable for these damages. If you were injured on someone else’s property, contact us today to schedule a free case review with our Bakersfield slip and fall lawyers.