California Injury Lawyer Blog

Slip and fall accidents are often the result of negligent maintenance of a property, such as a retail store or a place of business. If the owner or occupant of the property knew or should have known, that a hazardous condition on a property existed and did not attempt to fix the problem or warn visitors about it, the owner may be liable for injuries that occur as a result. It is important to note that not all injuries that occur on a property are the responsibility of the owner or tenant. If you were not paying attention and walked into a store display, you may be responsible for your own neglect. However, if you slipped in a broken bottle of olive oil that was not cleaned up in a timely manner, the owner of the store may be responsible.

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

Following any slip and fall or trip and fall accident, or any other injury in a business, retail or government establishment, file a report with the property owner or manager. Just as you would with a car accident, collect witness names and contact information. If you are able to, take pictures of the site where the accident occurred, and note the exact location. If your injuries are serious, seek medical attention and go to a doctor, trauma center or hospital. Finally, contact an experienced and knowledgeable Sacramento slip and fall accident attorney to discuss your potential case and what you need to do to protect your legal rights. It is always advisable to contact a lawyer as soon as possible following an accident, while important evidence can be preserved.

Falls down steps and stairways can cause serious injuries, from bruises and broken bones to head injuries and spinal cord injuries. Persons injured from falling down a staircase or flight of stairs, or from tripping on a stair and falling forward should speak to a California slip and fall lawyer about a premises liability claim. The property owner may be responsible for your injuries and all related expenses and lost earnings due to your injuries, if certain conditions are met.

The experienced attorneys at Estey Bomberger have successfully handled staircase injury claims and are familiar with building codes and staircase design and maintenance issues that may contribute to a fall. If the stairs had poor illumination, were lacking a handrail, were the improper height or distance, or were otherwise defective, the building owner may be responsible for a slip and fall accident on the staircase. If you would like more information or a free consultation, contact the California injury lawyers at Estey Bomberger today to talk to a lawyer your legal rights.

A suit against big box store Target has been settled for $7 million dollars, CBS News reported October 5th. Claire Putman, 80, of Des Plaines, Il, suffered a brain injury as a result of being struck in the head by a defective automatic door at a Target store in Rosemont (northwest of Chicago).

According to documents filed in court, Putman had just walked into the Target Store on Mannheim Road when the door malfunctioned and knocked her onto the ground. Putman was then struck again by the door as it continued to open and close.

Along with Target, the manufacturer of the door, Besam USA, was also a named defendant in the lawsuit.

Putman's attorneys argued that Target was negligent by failing to inspect and maintain the automatic doors and did not follow recommended safety guidelines. Additionally, Putman's attorneys argued that Besam did not provide an effective way of turning off the doors and alerting store employees that the door was malfunctioning.

Putman's settled the suit for $7 million. As a result of her injuries, Putman had to move into a nursing home.

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