Orange County Trip & Fall Attorney

Experiencing a trip or fall is often jarring. These accidents often happen when someone trips over something or an uneven surface, often leading to serious injuries. Apart from the physical impact and injuries, it can also cause emotional stress and lead to a sense of apprehension.

If you've been involved in a trip and fall, it's important to understand the various factors that contribute to these incidents and the steps you can take to pursue compensation for your injuries. At the Law Offices of Steven Zwick, we understand the impact that a trip and fall can have on your daily life.

Located in Mission Viejo, California, we strive to help clients throughout Orange County overcome the challenges of trip and fall accidents.

What Is a Trip & Fall?

A trip and fall accident occurs when someone unexpectedly trips over an obstacle, resulting in a loss of balance and a fall to the ground. These accidents can happen anywhere, from public places such as sidewalks or shopping centers to private properties like homes and workplaces.

These incidents can lead to a variety of injuries, and in some cases, trips and falls can even result in long-term disabilities. It's important to seek medical attention immediately after a trip and fall accident to document your injuries and consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you explore your options for pursuing compensation.

Common Causes of Trip & Fall Accidents

Trip and fall accidents can occur due to various factors, often due to negligence on the part of the property owners. Some of the most common causes include:

Poorly maintained walking areas: This includes cracked sidewalks, loose floorboards, or uneven pavement that can cause someone to trip and fall.

Obstructions on walking paths: Objects such as electrical cords, debris, or misplaced items can create hazards on walking paths.

Inadequate lighting: Poor lighting in stairwells, hallways, or other areas can make it difficult for people to see potential hazards.

Injuries Caused by Trip & Falls

Trip and fall accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor bruises and cuts to more serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord injuries. These injuries often incur significant medical expenses and could potentially lead to lost wages from an inability to work and long-term disabilities.

If you've been involved in a trip and fall accident, it's important to seek medical attention immediately, even if you don't feel like you've been seriously injured. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, so it's crucial to get checked out by a medical professional.

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How a Trip & Fall Differs from a Slip & Fall

Trip and fall accidents are often misconstrued as being the same as slip and fall accidents. While both types of accidents involve a person falling due to a hazardous condition and often result in some type of personal injury, there is a primary difference between them.

A trip and fall usually results in a forward fall due to stumbling over an obstacle or uneven ground. In contrast, a slip and fall typically involves a backward fall from slipping on a wet or slick surface. While they can lead to similar injuries like bruises or head trauma, they are legally different.

Potential Compensation for a Trip & Fall Accident

If you have been injured in a trip and fall accident due to someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Some of the primary types of compensation you can potentially recover include:

Medical expenses: This includes all costs related to your medical treatment, such as doctor's visits, hospital stays, surgery, medication, and ongoing treatment like physical therapy.

Lost wages: If you are unable to return to work due to your injuries, you may be able to recover lost wages while you recover.

Loss of earning capacity: If your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job, you may be able to receive compensation for the potential wages you may lose due to long-term or permanent disabilities caused by the accident.

Pain and suffering: This includes physical pain, emotional distress, and any other non-economic damages caused by the trip and fall accident.

If a property owner's negligence contributed to your trip and fall accident, you may also be entitled to punitive damages. These types of damages are meant to punish the negligent party and deter similar behavior in the future.

However, it's essential to seek legal representation from an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you understand the potential value of your case and guide you through the legal process. At the Law Offices of Steven Zwick, we have a track record of helping our clients recover full and fair compensation for their injuries.

Understanding Premises Liability in California

Under California premises liability law, property owners have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises for visitors and guests. These laws apply to commercial, residential, and public properties and set rigorous standards to help prevent unnecessary harm.

California's premises liability laws require property owners to be aware of any potential hazards on their property and take reasonable steps to address them or warn visitors about the risks. If they fail to do so and someone is injured as a result, they may be held liable for the damages.

However, in some cases, the injured party may also bear some responsibility for the accident. California follows comparative negligence laws, which means that if you are found partially at fault for your injuries, your compensation could be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

What to Do If You've Had a Trip & Fall Accident

If you've experienced a trip and fall accident, there are certain steps you can take to protect your rights and potentially strengthen your case for compensation:

Seek medical attention: Seek medical attention immediately after a trip and fall accident. Not all injuries are readily apparent and medical care helps document your injuries for legal proceedings.

Report the incident: If possible, report the accident to the property owner or manager as soon as possible. Make sure you obtain a copy of the official record of the incident.

Gather evidence: Take photos of the scene, any hazards that may have caused your fall, and your injuries. This will serve as crucial evidence if you decide to pursue compensation.

Obtain witness statements: If there were any witnesses to your accident, get their contact information and ask them for a statement about what they saw.

Contact an attorney: Consult with a skilled personal injury attorney who can evaluate your case and advise you on the best course of action.

Orange County Trip & Fall Attorney

If you or a loved one has been involved in a trip and fall accident, contact the Law Offices of Steven Zwick today. Our team of experienced attorneys is ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Located in Mission Viejo, California, we serve clients throughout Orange County. Schedule a free consultation with us to discuss your case and learn more about how we can assist you.