Slip and Fall Lawyers in Encino, CA

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A fall on a wet floor, a broken step, or a cracked sidewalk can cause serious injuries, including broken bones, back and neck injuries, and head injuries. If you were hurt in a slip and fall or trip and fall in Encino, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Van Nuys, or anywhere in the San Fernando Valley, Lipel Law can help you hold the responsible property owner accountable. Attorney Katherine Lipel has more than 25 years of experience, and our office is on Ventura Boulevard in Encino. Consultations are free, and you pay no attorney's fees unless we win.

• Wet or freshly mopped floors in grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping centers along Ventura Boulevard
• Spilled food or liquid that employees failed to clean up or warn about
• Uneven, cracked, or raised sidewalks
• Broken stairs, loose handrails, and poorly lit stairwells
• Potholes and debris in parking lots and parking structures
• Hazards in apartment buildings, condo common areas, and pool decks
• Torn carpet, loose mats, and other trip hazards

Under California law, people who own or control property must use reasonable care to keep it reasonably safe (California Civil Code section 1714). In a premises liability case, we generally need to show that a dangerous condition existed, that the owner or business knew about it or should have discovered it with reasonable inspections, and that they failed to fix it or warn you. Depending on the facts, the responsible party could be a store, a landlord, a property management company, a business owner, or a government agency.

If you fell on a public sidewalk, in a public building, or on other property owned by a city or county, special rules apply. You generally must file a written government claim within six months of the injury before you can sue. Missing that deadline can end your case, so call us right away if your fall happened on public property.

1. Get medical attention, even if you think you are only bruised.
2. Report the fall to the store manager, landlord, or property owner and ask for a copy of the incident report.
3. Take photos of the exact spot where you fell, including the hazard, the lighting, and any missing warning signs.
4. Keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing.
5. Get names and phone numbers of witnesses.
6. Call our lawyers quickly. Businesses often record over surveillance video, so it is important to request it as soon as possible.

How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in California?
In most cases, two years from the date of the fall (California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1). If a government agency owns the property, you generally must file a claim within six months.

What if I was partly at fault for my fall?
You can still recover compensation. California uses a pure comparative fault rule, so your compensation is reduced by your share of fault but not eliminated.

The store says there was a warning sign. Do I still have a case?
Possibly. Whether a warning was adequate depends on where it was placed, whether it was visible, and the other facts of your fall. We can review your situation at a free consultation.

What compensation can I recover after a slip and fall?
Depending on your case, you may be able to recover medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

How much does it cost to hire your slip and fall lawyers?
Nothing up front. You pay no attorney's fees unless we win, and if we don't win, you owe nothing, including case costs.

Lipel Law handles slip and fall cases throughout Encino, the San Fernando Valley, and California. See our Encino personal injury lawyers page, learn about dog bite cases, or call (818) 904-0100.