Have you been injured in a slip and fall accident in Monterey County, California? Call Mercado Kramer, LLP at (888) 311-4050 for a free consultation. Our experienced Monterey County slip and fall accident lawyers can help you stand up to the negligent property owner to demand the compensation you deserve.
Mercado Kramer, LLP is a top-rated personal injury law firm that’s dedicated to fighting for injury victims and families in Monterey County. As award-winning California trial attorneys, we’re known for our aggressive legal strategies and unmatched ability to win compensation for our clients. Reach out to our team today to get started.
Why Choose Mercado Kramer, LLP to Help You After a Slip and Fall Accident in Monterey County, CA?
It can be intimidating to accuse a private property owner, local business, or the government of neglecting their premises and causing your slip and fall accident. Fortunately, you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Hiring Mercado Kramer, LLP helps level the playing field and ensures you have a skilled advocate on your side.
Our Monterey County personal injury lawyers have the resources necessary to handle even the most complex personal injury disputes. We know how to investigate your accident, gather compelling evidence, and build a strong case to hold negligent property owners accountable.
The property owner and their insurance company will prioritize their bottom line over your well-being. You can’t rely on them to make things right on their own—but you can rely on us to fight tirelessly for the compensation you need to recover.
Your first consultation is free, so call our Monterey County law office today to get started.
What Causes Most Slip and Fall Accidents?
While many hazards can cause slips, trips, and falls, the most common causes include:
- Unsecured rugs and carpets
- Loose floor boards
- Uneven transitions between floor surfaces
- Broken railings
- Missing handrails
- Stairs that aren’t up to code
- Electrical cables and wires
- Puddles and spills
- Overwaxed floors
- Broken sidewalks
- Inadequate lighting
- Debris and garbage
If you’ve recently slipped and fallen or tripped and fallen because of a hazard on someone else’s property, don’t hesitate to call Mercado Kramer, LLP. Our slip and fall accident lawyers in Monterey County can listen to your story, offer some preliminary guidance, and help you understand what legal rights you might have as a victim.
Who’s Liable for My Slip and Fall Injuries?
In California, slip and fall cases are a type of premises liability claim. State law requires owners of property—both public and private—to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition so that invited guests and visitors aren’t likely to get hurt.
When a property owner ignores their duty of care by failing to inspect their premises, fix slip and fall hazards when they’re discovered, or provide adequate warnings of risk, they can be liable if a visitor slips, falls, and gets hurt.
Depending on where you slip and fall, you might be able to maintain a successful premises liability claim against a:
- Restaurant, bar, or nightclub
- Grocery store
- Shopping mall
- Warehouse store
- Retail store
- Gym or fitness center
- Hotel
- Gas station
- Convenience store
- Airbnb
- Entertainment complex
- Office building
- Hospital
- Nursing home
- Private property owner
- City, county, or state government agency
If you can prove that the owner of the premises was negligent, you can hold them accountable for your resulting damages—including costs of medical care, lost income, and harder-to-value trauma.
How Much is My Monterey County Slip and Fall Claim Worth?
Several factors can influence the potential value of your premises liability claim after a slip and fall accident in Monterey County, CA.
- What type of injuries did you sustain?
- Are those injuries catastrophic?
- Have you suffered a permanent impairment or disability?
- Can you still work?
- How old are you?
- Are you being accused of contributing to the slip and fall accident?
- What steps have you taken to mitigate your damages?
- Has the slip and fall accident diminished your quality of life?
The more serious the injuries you’ve suffered, the more money you can reasonably expect to recover for related costs and trauma.
Expect the property owner to put up a fight as you pursue compensation. Along with the insurance company, they’ll do everything they can to deny responsibility and limit your monetary award. When you know what your legal claim is worth, you’ll have the courage to say “no” to lowball offers and demand what’s rightfully yours.
We can help to ensure that you have the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about your case.
What Damages Can I Recover After I Slip and Fall on Someone Else’s Property in Monterey County?
As the victim of an avoidable slip and fall accident in Monterey County, CA, you can file a legal claim to get compensatory damages from the negligent property owner.
Compensatory damages can include economic damages to offset the objective financial costs and future economic losses related to your slip and fall injuries, and non-economic damages to help you deal with subjective trauma and life changes you experience as a victim.
A successful claim can help you get money for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Lost wages
- Lost job benefits
- Temporary and/or permanent disability
- Diminished earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Chronic physical pain
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
Should your slip and fall lawsuit go to trial, a California jury can potentially award you punitive damages, too. Punitive damages are appropriate when a jury decides that there’s clear evidence to prove that the defendant acted maliciously or displayed a conscious disregard for your safety.
Common Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents are a leading cause of avoidable injury and death in the United States. In fact, more than one million people are hospitalized because their slip and fall accident injuries are severe.
Some of the most common slip and fall and trip and fall injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Leg injuries
- Knee injuries
- Chest injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis injuries
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Eye injuries
- Neck injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
After a slip and fall, there are two critical steps you have to take. First, report the fall to the owner or management to make sure that it’s formally documented. Then, seek prompt medical care at the closest emergency room in Monterey County—even if you don’t think your injuries are severe.
The shock of slipping and falling can hide physical pain or signs of trauma. Left unchecked, internal injuries can worsen over time and lead to serious complications. If you don’t take steps to mitigate your injuries, it adversely affects your ability to get compensation in the future.
Can I Get Compensation If the Property Owner Blames Me For Falling?
Yes, but your financial recovery will be limited. California adheres to a system of pure comparative negligence. Damages in a slip and fall claim are reduced proportionately to the plaintiff’s shared fault.
If you’re 25 percent responsible for slipping and falling at a Monterey County grocery store or fast food restaurant, your financial settlement or jury award will be reduced by 25 percent of its value. If your claim was worth $100,000, your maximum recovery would be limited to $75,000.
How Much Will it Cost to Hire a Slip and Fall Accident Attorney in Monterey County?
Our California slip and fall accident lawyers in Monterey County offer contingency fee representation. We only get paid when we win compensation for your slip and fall injury case.
When we win, our attorney fees are simply deducted from the monetary award we’ve won on your behalf. Fees are typically a pre-determined percentage of your award, often ranging between 30 and 40 percent.
How Long Is the Statute of Limitations on Slip and Fall Lawsuits in California?
You’ll have up to two years to file a personal injury claim after a slip and fall accident in Monterey County, California. The two-year statute of limitations also applies to wrongful death claims when a slip and fall accident is fatal.
Missing the filing deadline is simply not an option. Once the statute of limitations expires, you forfeit your right to hold the negligent property owner — or their insurance company — accountable. No matter how strong your case may be, the law will bar you from pursuing the compensation you need and deserve.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Monterey County Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Call the award-winning legal team at Mercado Kramer, LLP for help after a slip and fall accident in Monterey County, California. You may be entitled to compensation. Our Monterey County slip and fall accident lawyers are here to help you maximize your recovery.
We’ve helped clients win millions of dollars from powerful property owners and corporations. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Monterey County slip and fall accident attorney.
