Slip and Fall Attorneys

Torrance Slip and Fall Attorneys

A slip and fall accident can happen to anyone. While the general perception of such accidents may be that most resulting injuries are be minor, serious injuries and even fatalities frequently occur due to slip or trip and fall incidents. Life is full of near misses and dangerous situations, all of which can be a slip and fall accident waiting to happen. When a slip and fall accident occurs as a result of someone else’s negligence, it is recommended that you seek the counsel of an experienced and dedicated slip and fall attorney to help you file a claim towards recovering any relevant damages for medical expenses, lost wages, reduced quality of life, pain and suffering, etc.

It is the responsibility of a business or property owner to provide a reasonably safe environment for patrons, one that is free from hazards. If an environment is unsafe due to negligence and an accident occurs, you could be eligible to receive damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost earnings while you recover.

Unfortunately, even with a seemingly straightforward case where your accident is absolutely due to the negligence of another, it can be difficult to prove fault in a court of law without the assistance of a qualified personal injury attorney who regularly handles slip and fall claims. In order to have the best chance at recovering the maximum compensation you are entitled to in a personal injury slip and fall case, it is in your best interest to secure the advantage of a top-rated Dordulian Law Group attorney who will advocate for you and protect your rights under the law.

What are Slip and Fall Accidents?

Slip and fall accidents can be caused by any number of factors, including structural defects in the form of uneven stairs, missing railings or handrails, or cracked sidewalks. Tripping hazards like dangling cords, poor lighting, or spills also frequently contribute to slip and fall accidents. Weather-related hazards, such as ice and snow on sidewalks, standing water, or slippery mud can lead to slip and fall or trip and fall accidents, leaving victims with injuries of varying severity.

At Dordulian Law Group, we see many slip and fall accidents caused by wet and slippery floors. Grocery stores, for example, often neglect to post a clearly visible warning sign indicating a wet floor or spill. But those warnings are not always placed in locations that are easily identifiable for unwitting customers.

Clutter is another issue that frequently causes a trip and fall, whether due to a cord running loose across a floor or a propped ladder. Damaged and loose flooring, unlit or dimly lit spaces can also cause slip and fall accidents. Any of these aforementioned scenarios (along with many others) can be grounds for a personal injury civil lawsuit seeking financial compensation for damages.

Schedule an appointment online for a free consultation today, or call us directly to speak to our top-rated, expert personal injury attorneys.

What Types of Injuries Typically Result From Slip and Falls?

Injuries commonly occurring from slip and fall accidents can include broken bones, bruises, contusions, dislocated shoulders, knee injuries, lacerations such as cuts and scratches, nerve or spinal damage, sprained wrists and ankles, or strained muscles or tendons (including the most typical strains: hamstring and lower back). Traumatic brain injuries can also occur. Slip and fall accidents make up approximately 48% of all traumatic brain injuries treated at emergency facilities.

If owners have not properly secured their premises or placed visible warning signs and a type of injury referenced above occurs, you should immediately contact a Dordulian Law Group Torrance slip and fall lawyer. At DLG, we have the experience, dedication, proven track record, and unparalleled team of professionals necessary to ensure your case reaches a successful outcome and you recover every penny in damages you deserve. We’re always available to provide you with the assistance and help you need as you recover following such an unfortunate incident.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Slip and Fall Accident?

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to receive various types of economic and non-economic damages by filing a personal injury civil lawsuit.

With the assistance of your DLG legal team, we can help prove negligence to ensure you receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and replacement of any damaged property. These types of damages are referred to as ‘economic.’
Following a slip and fall injury, you may also be eligible to receive general damages, covering the costs of pain and suffering (both physical and mental), as well as disability, disfigurement, and a loss of enjoyment in life.

Our experienced attorneys can help you pursue a financial award for your personal injury case. Contact us online or by phone for a free consultation today.

Calculating Pain and Suffering in Slip and Fall Cases

The Multiplier Method:

Insurance carriers use various methods to calculate pain and suffering. The most common approach for calculating such subjective pain is known as the Multiplier Method. This method’s formula calculates all “special damages” and then multiplies that figure by a certain number (typically between 1.5 and 5 – with 3 being most frequently used). Special damages are any economic losses that are easily calculable. They can include expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.

Determining the “multiplier” (or the number between 1.5 and 5) that will be used to multiply the total economic damages depends on a number of factors relative to each individual case. For instance, if you experience severe or catastrophic injuries following a slip an fall accident and are facing lifelong medical care, lost wages due to disability, and a reduced quality of life, the multiplier used to calculate your pain and suffering would likely be 4 or 5.

Conversely, if you sustained serious injuries (broken bones and lacerations) but are likely to experience a complete recovery in a matter of months, your multiplier might be closer to the average, which is 3. The degree of fault or negligence related to your accident will also have an impact on what multiplier figure is ultimately used to calculate your pain and suffering damages.

Having a skilled and experienced Dordulian Law Group personal injury attorney on your side will help ensure you recover the maximum financial damages award for any injuries you’ve sustained, including pain and suffering.

The Per Diem Method:

Another common approach to calculating pain and suffering is known as the “per diem” method. “Per Diem” is Latin for “per day,” and the objective in using this method is to demand a particular dollar amount representing each day the plaintiff experienced pain and suffering due to their slip and fall accident accident.
A challenge (sometimes considered a potential drawback) commonly encountered when using the per diem method is justifying a daily rate. Regardless of the amount you and your personal injury attorney decide is appropriate, it will undoubtedly be met with resistance from the opposing defense counsel or insurance company. Typically, daily rates are determined based on an injured plaintiff’s daily wages. An attorney may argue that the amount the injured party earned each day prior to the accident is a reasonable figure that should be applied to determine absolute pain and suffering damages.

Again, having a dedicated and experienced DLG personal injury attorney on your side means you have an advocate who is determined to fight for the largest possible financial compensation award for your injuries
Special compensatory damages can be filed for an economic hardship that resulting directly from your slip and fall accident. This can include the cost of immediate and future medical bills, as well as ongoing physical therapy or even in-home professional medical care if required. Special compensatory damages can also cover household expenses such as mortgage or rent payments.

Additionally, an injured victim can receive a punitive damages award, which is directed towards the property owner if the personal injury lawsuit was caused by particularly severe or offensively negligent violations.
The amount of punitive damages you can receive depends on the nature of your injuries, as well as how quickly you recover and the amount of lost wages and medical bills you can rightfully claim. The amount also depends on how severe the property owner’s breach of responsibility was, and if there is any conflict of evidence in your claim.

Whatever damages you’re entitled to, winning your case and receiving financial compensation is often due to having an experienced and skilled Torrance slip and fall lawyer, such as the dedicated professionals at DLG team. Having a skilled and experienced lawyer is particularly important when your damages are subjective, such as those that can’t be easily documented (pain and suffering, psychological trauma, etc.)

Any personal injury claim is intended to restore your financial situation and overall well-being to where it was prior to the accident. Civil lawsuits for personal injury matters are meant to make the injured party whole again. Having a successful, aggressive, motivated, and experienced slip and fall lawyer from Dordulian Law Group is critical to winning your case and recovering the financial compensation you deserve to help you get back on your feet.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Slip and Fall Claim in California?

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, there is a limited period of time available to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is referred to as the statute of limitations. In California, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. Some exceptions to the two-year deadline do exist, but it is in your best interest to consult an attorney and confirm how much time you have to file a claim for your specific case. In general, the two-year statute of limitations begins the date the injury took place.
There are some exceptions, such as a personal injury lawsuit filed against a government entity, which has a shorter statute of limitations, typically six months.
If you fail to file a claim within the legally established deadline, you may lose your ability to pursue legal action and ultimately recover monetary compensation. Statutes of limitation vary from state-to-state and on a case-by-case basis, which is yet another justification for why slip and fall accident victims should consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss the details of their case.

While claim settlements can take months for some cases and years for others, once a settlement is finalized you can typically expect receive a settlement check in about six weeks. This time period does not apply to all cases, particularly those leading to more severe injuries that may require lifelong care.

A skilled and experienced slip and fall lawyer from DLG can help you obtain the compensation you deserve and make certain your claim is made within the statute of limitations. We will do everything in our power to ensure you receive your settlement check as quickly as possible.

Schedule an appointment online for a free consultation today, or call us directly to speak to our top-rated, expert personal injury attorneys.

How Do I Find an Experienced and Qualified Torrance Slip and Fall Lawyer?

For California residents, slip and fall claims can seem intimidating without having the expertise and support of an attorney fighting for your best interests.

We published a blog last year that provided potential new clients some advice for how to go about selecting a personal injury attorney who not only has experience and integrity, but the skill required to win your case. You can check out the blog here.

The more research you conduct on various lawyers, the better the odds you’ll find one who will ensure your case reaches a successful conclusion. The California Bar Association is one resource for consideration, and vetting Torrance slip and fall lawyers to determine past win records, amount of damages recovered for clients over the years, satisfied reviews, etc. is also important. You want to find an attorney with extensive experience in personal injury lawsuit cases that are similar to yours, and look for a slip and fall lawyer who has successfully recovered substantial settlements for clients who endured injuries similar to yours. You’ll also want to examine the record of any Torrance slip and fall attorney, verifying wins and losses as well as settlements through the news media or legal publications. If you ever have any questions regarding DLG’s qualifications, track record, commitment to clients, or anything additional, please do not hesitate to contact us 24/7 at (310) 504-1911.

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