According to the National Safety Council, slip-and-fall accidents are the single largest cause of emergency room visits. In California, property owners are legally required to keep their property safe for passersby and visitors, while the government – through one agency or another – is charged with keeping public streets and sidewalks free of hazards and dangerous debris.

When a slip-and-fall accident causes an injury, that injury can generate a premises liability claim against the property owner. In such cases, a good personal injury attorney will need to prove that the owner of the property was negligent. To build a winning case, the personal injury attorney must show that:

• the property’s condition was dangerous

• the owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition

• the owner had a reasonable period of time to fix the condition

More than half of slip-and-fall accidents involve uneven sidewalk pavement. It’s important to know that pedestrians injured on California’s public sidewalks have just six months to file a claim before the statute of limitations expires. A 72-year-old woman who suffered a cervical fracture that led to complete paralysis after tripping on an uneven, poorly maintained sidewalk recently received a $2.4 million settlement from the city of San Francisco. Slip-and-fall injuries also commonly happen because of potholes, slippery floor surfaces, uneven stairs, inadequate rails, unsafe balconies, tree roots, cords and wires, blocked aisles in stores, and poor lighting.

If you are injured in a slip-and-fall incident, and if you believe that you have a legitimate personal injury claim, speak with an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. A good personal injury lawyer will assess your case, explain your options, and help you gather the witnesses and evidence you’ll need to prevail in court and win compensation. In the San Diego area, if you or a member of your family has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, contact experienced California personal injury attorney Gary Sernaker right away at (858) 509-0188, or email him at Gsernaker@gmail.com to discuss your rights and options under California law.