Slip and fall accidents may seem simple at first, but they often raise complicated questions about who was responsible and what should have been done to prevent the injury.
Your Chula Vista slip and fall attorney with Matthew De Lira brings a deep understanding of California premises liability law and knows how to get results. With over 50+ million recovered in the past 6 years, your San Diego personal injury lawyer with our firm is ready to help you demand justice and fair compensation for your suffering.
Why Choose Us at Matthew De Lira?
When you call us, you are not just handing off your case to a stranger. You are connecting with a local team that takes the time to listen, check in, and actually get to know what you are going through. We keep things personal, stay in your corner, and build a plan that fits you, not just your file.
How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Accident Claim in California
If you suffered an injury after a slip and fall, it is important to act quickly. Most personal injury claims in California must be filed within two years from the date of the accident, according to California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
That deadline comes up faster than people expect, especially if the case involves public property like a city sidewalk, government building, or public park. When a city or county is involved, the California Tort Claims Act requires that you file your notice of claim, usually within six months. Waiting too long can limit your ability to seek compensation, even if your injury is serious.
How to Prove Negligence in a Slip and Fall Accident Case?
Slip and fall accidents might look simple, but proving someone else is responsible takes more than just showing that you got hurt. You need to show that there was a dangerous condition and that the property owner either knew about it or should have known. Without both parts, it is harder to hold the business or landowner accountable.
Establishing Duty of Care and Breach
In California, property owners have a legal duty to keep their spaces reasonably safe for guests and customers. If they fail to fix a known hazard or ignore something they should have noticed, that duty may be considered breached.
The California Civil Code § 1714(a) lays out the general rule that everyone is responsible for injuries caused by their lack of ordinary care. Slip and fall cases often come down to showing what the owner knew, when they knew it, and what they failed to do.
Proving Dangerous Conditions and Notice
Proving negligence also means showing that a specific hazard caused the fall. Photos, video footage, witness statements, or even property maintenance logs can help. If someone else had already reported the problem or if staff ignored it over time, that makes the case stronger.
In most slip and fall cases, this is where premises liability comes into play. Property owners are not automatically responsible just because someone got hurt, but they are responsible if they failed to fix or warn about a dangerous condition they knew about or should have caught. That gap between what was reasonable and what actually happened is what turns an accident into a legal claim.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim?
The amount you can recover in a slip and fall case often depends on how badly you were hurt and how the injury affects your daily life. For some, it might be a short recovery with a few missed paychecks. For others, the injury could lead to permanent changes, mobility issues, or serious complications like disfigurement or even amputation. Slip and fall damages may include:
- Emergency room and hospital treatment
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses
- Lost wages from missed work
- Assistive devices or home modifications
- Long-term or permanent disability
- Loss of mobility and independence
- Pain, suffering, or emotional distress related to visible disfigurement
Call Our Chula Vista Slip and Fall Lawyers Today
If you believe your injury happened because someone failed to maintain their property, you deserve answers. Your slip and fall lawyer in Chula Vista can help you figure out what went wrong and whether the property owner may be held responsible. To speak with your slip and fall attorney in Chula Vista from Matthew De Lira about your options, you can contact us anytime.