How to File a Slip and Fall Accident Claim in Los Angeles

If you’ve slipped, fallen and been injured on someone else’s property or public property in Los Angeles, you may be entitled to financial compensation. There are certain steps you need to take to build and file your claim. It may benefit you to hire a Los Angeles slip and fall injury lawyer to help you through this process and seek maximum results.

Report the Accident

Start by reporting your slip and fall accident immediately to the proper authorities, such as the property owner, a manager or supervisor, your employer, or a landlord. The person in charge of managing the premises should write up an official incident report that documents what happened and your injuries.

Get Medical Care

Always get medical care after a slip and fall accident. Even if at first you feel fine, your adrenaline may be masking pain. Prompt medical care shows an insurance company the connection between your fall accident and injuries. It also documents your injury diagnosis for the record to serve as proof during your insurance claim.

Gather Evidence

Begin collecting evidence to support your slip and fall claim while still at the scene. Immediately after your fall, take pictures of the property hazard or defect that caused your accident. Look for surveillance cameras that may have footage and ask for copies. Speak to witnesses and write down their contact information so you can collect statements later.

Speak With a Los Angeles Attorney for Free

Once you’ve received medical treatment for your injuries and collected basic information, bring your case to a consultation with a local personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles. Find an attorney who offers free initial case reviews. Explain what happened and get legal advice directly from a source you can trust.

A lawyer can evaluate your case to determine if you have the legal elements for a slip and fall injury claim against the owner or controller of the property. You may be eligible for compensation if the owner of the premises knew or reasonably should have known about the hazard that made you fall but failed to remedy it in a timely manner.

File an Insurance Claim

You may have the right to pursue insurance benefits from the insurance policy of the owner of the property where your slip and fall accident took place. File your claim by calling the company and giving the policy number. Do not admit fault or give the insurance claims adjuster a reported statement.

If you choose to hire an attorney, he or she can handle communications with the property owner’s insurance company to ensure you don’t settle for less than you deserve. Your lawyer can negotiate the value of a settlement to achieve a fair and full amount.

Consider Filing a Premises Liability Lawsuit in Los Angeles

While the majority of slip and fall accident cases in Los Angeles reach settlements, a personal injury trial may be necessary if an insurance company is disputing liability, refusing to offer a reasonable settlement or has rejected your claim. In these situations, a premises liability lawsuit in LA may be in your best interest to achieve a fair case outcome.

You have two years under California’s statute of limitations to file a slip and fall accident lawsuit. If your fall occurred on public or government-owned property, you have just six months. Don’t wait and risk losing the right to recover compensation – contact an attorney as early as possible after your accident to begin the legal process with professional help.