If you slip, fall, and suffer an injury on another person’s property, speak at once to an experienced personal injury attorney. You may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. If you’re a property owner or a property manager, protecting the safety of others on your property – as well as protecting yourself against slip-and-fall suits – has to be a paramount priority. Falls are a common cause of injury, especially among those over age 65, and a common cause of outdoor falls in southern California is uneven pavement. Broken or uneven sidewalks and driveways are almost always caused by tree roots pushing up concrete.

Most trees grow rapidly, and their roots often push up under driveways or sidewalks in just weeks. If any part of your sidewalk or driveway is elevated more than a quarter of an inch, fix it immediately before someone is injured. Concrete is not forgiving, and a quarter-inch is just enough elevation to trip someone and cause a potentially serious injury. Sidewalk safety may be as easy as paying a contractor to grind the elevated sections of sidewalk to remove the hazard. In more advanced cases you may have to remove the entire section of sidewalk, get rid of the tree roots, and pour new concrete.

Of course, careful landscaping can prevent uneven pavement. Don’t plant growing trees within 20 feet of driveways or sidewalks. Even small trees should be at least 10 feet away. Palm trees are a good option, especially in southern California. Their roots don’t swell, so they’re less likely to damage driveways and sidewalks.

If you are injured in a slip-and-fall, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney as quickly as you can. A good personal injury lawyer will evaluate your case, outline your options, and help you to receive the compensation you deserve. It’s possible that you may be awarded damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. In the San Diego area, if you’ve slipped or tripped, fallen, and suffered an injury on another person’s property due to that person’s negligence, please contact attorney Gary Sernaker to discuss your rights and options under California Law.