Sacramento Slip and Fall Lawyers
A slip and fall injury can result in expensive medical bills and serious, long-term injuries. These accidents are often avoidable and result directly from a property owner’s negligence.
Businesses and property owners throughout the Sacramento area, from Midtown storefronts to Natomas shopping centers, can be held liable when they fail to warn visitors about slippery surfaces or fail to properly maintain their grounds.
At Cutter Law P.C., our Sacramento personal injury lawyers have helped clients throughout the region, including Elk Grove, Roseville, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, and Folsom, recover compensation after being hurt in a slip and fall accident.
Our legal team works with you to build a strong claim and hold negligent property owners liable for your injuries and other losses, whether your accident happened at a local business, an apartment complex, or on government property in the capital region.
Where Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in Sacramento
Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, but certain types of properties see these accidents more often than others. Understanding where and why these accidents happen can help you determine who may be liable for your injuries.
Grocery Stores and Retail Centers
Sacramento’s shopping centers and strip malls, from Arden-Arcade to Land Park to East Sacramento, see a steady flow of foot traffic every day. Spilled products, wet floors from cleaning, and cluttered aisles are common hazards in stores throughout the region.
Stores have a legal duty to inspect for these conditions regularly and address them within a reasonable time. Many grocery and retail stores keep records, sometimes called sweep sheets, that log when floors were last inspected or cleaned. These records can become important evidence in a store slip and fall claim, since California law requires showing that the store knew, or reasonably should have known, about the hazard before your accident occurred.
If you slipped and fell at a Sacramento grocery store, big box retailer, or shopping center, our attorneys can help identify what evidence exists, request store records before they are discarded, and determine whether the store’s response to the hazard met its legal duty of care.
Downtown and Midtown Businesses
Restaurants, bars, and retail storefronts along K Street and throughout Midtown’s grid see heavy pedestrian activity, especially on weekends and during events near Downtown Commons. Wet sidewalks after rain, uneven or cracked pavement, and poorly lit entryways are frequent causes of falls in this part of the city.
Apartment Complexes and Rental Properties
With a large renter population throughout the Sacramento area, apartment complexes are a common site for slip and fall accidents. Landlords and property management companies are responsible for maintaining stairwells, parking structures, walkways, and other common areas in safe condition.
Government Property
As California’s capital, Sacramento sees significant foot traffic around the Capitol building, state offices, courthouses, and public sidewalks. Slip and fall accidents on government-owned property involve different rules and much shorter deadlines than accidents on private property, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible if your accident happened on public property.
No matter where your accident occurred, our Sacramento personal injury lawyers can investigate your case, identify the responsible party, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Filing a Slip and Fall Claim in the Sacramento Area
If your slip and fall case cannot be resolved through a settlement, your claim would typically be filed in the Sacramento County Superior Court. Having local attorneys who are familiar with the local court’s procedures and expectations can make a meaningful difference in how efficiently your case moves forward.
Claims Against Sacramento-Area Government Entities
Because Sacramento is home to the California Capitol, numerous state office buildings, and county and city government facilities, slip and fall accidents on public property are common in this area. If you were injured on a sidewalk, in a government building, or on other property owned by the City of Sacramento, Sacramento County, or the State of California, your claim is governed by the California Tort Claims Act rather than the standard personal injury statute of limitations.
Claims against government entities generally require:
- Filing an initial claim within six months of your accident
- Allowing the government entity time to respond, generally 45 days
- Filing a formal lawsuit within six months if your claim is denied
These deadlines are considerably shorter than the two years generally allowed for slip and fall claims against private property owners, and missing them can permanently bar your ability to recover compensation. If your accident happened on public property anywhere in the Sacramento area, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
What is the statute of limitations to file a slip and fall claim in California?
After a slip and fall accident, you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit in court. The slip and fall statute of limitations is the law that sets the specific deadlines for filing. Depending on the facts of your accident, three specific California laws may apply to your case, including:
| CA Code | Type of Case | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Cal. Civ. Code § 338 | Property damage (e.g., damaged phone) | 3 years |
| Cal. Civ. Code § 335.1 | Bodily injury or wrongful death | 2 years |
| CGC § 911.2 | Case against a government entity | 6 months |
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Featured Slip and Fall Attorney
Attorney Margot Cutter is repeatedly selected as a National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 Under 40”, Super Lawyers Rising Star, and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch.”
Margot and her team went above and beyond to assist me.
Excemptions to the Statute of Limitations
Exceptions to the statute of limitations exist, but these are not guaranteed. It is essential to work quickly in either situation to ensure you retain the ability to file a case for compensation in court if you cannot reach a settlement during negotiation. Our slip and fall lawyers can explain the statute of limitations and how it applies to your case.
Who is responsible for my slip and fall accident?
Property owners and occupants must provide ordinary care in maintaining a safe property. This means they are required to take measures to prevent dangerous conditions that may lead to injury.
If a property becomes unsafe due to the failure of the owner or occupant to take proper precautions, that person can be held liable for subsequent slip and fall accidents, according to Cal. Civ. Code § 1714 (a). Cutter Law, P.C. can help you determine all parties that may be liable for your slip and fall accident in California.
What do I have to prove to win my slip and fall case?
According to the California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI) 1000, to prove a slip and fall was the result of negligent behavior, you must show:
- The defendant owned, leased, occupied, or controlled the property
- The defendant was negligent in the use or maintenance of the property
- You suffered some kind of harm from the slip and fall accident
- The defendant’s negligence was a substantial factor in the harm you suffered due to the accident
Not every slip and fall is the result of negligence. When you seek compensation from a property owner or occupant for a slip and fall that occurred on that premises, you must prove that the fall was their fault.
How do I prove the property owner was negligent in a slip and fall?
According to CACI 1003, to prove negligence, you will need to show evidence that:
- The slip and fall resulted from a condition on the property that created an unreasonable risk of harm.
- The defendant knew about this risk or reasonably should have known about the risk.
- Despite knowing of the risk, the defendant did not act to repair the condition or give adequate warning to those who might be injured by it.
Demonstrating negligence is crucial in proving that the defendant is responsible for your injuries and other losses in a premises liability case, such as a slip and fall.
How much is my Sacramento slip and fall claim worth?
It is challenging to give an exact estimate of how much your case is worth because all slip and fall accidents and resulting injuries are unique. If you have been in a slip and fall accident in Sacramento, our injury lawyers can work with you to determine the value of your claim.
However, a wide range of damages may be available in your case, as outlined in Cal. Civ. Code § 1431.2(b). The specific categories outlined in this code are economic and non-economic damages.
Economic
These are any objectively verifiable monetary losses. Typical economic damages in California injury cases include, but are not limited to:
- Medical bills and future medical expenses
- Lost wages or loss of employment
- Future wage losses
- Property damage costs
- Assistive services and physical therapy
Non-economic
In liability cases such as a slip and fall accident, you may also include non-economic damages as part of your claim. These are subjective, non-monetary losses. Some examples include:
- Pain and suffering caused by the fall
- Inconveniences imposed by the accident
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment or use
Example Slip & Fall Settlements at Cutter Law
Attorneys Brooks and Margot Cutter obtained a $10 million settlement during jury selection for a trip and fall accident that resulted in major injuries.
Attorneys Brooks and Margot Cutter obtained a $350,000 for a client involved in a slip and fall accident in San Jose.
You can recover all of your medical bills, lost earnings if you’ve missed work, and pain and suffering – which is often the biggest recovery if you’re significantly hurt.
Brooks Cutter,
Founder of Cutter Law
- Address
401 Watt Ave #100
Sacramento, CA 95864
How Our Slip and Fall Lawyers Can Help With Your Claim
We can begin by investigating your claim to help you determine fault. Additionally, we can advise on the possible legal options available to help you recover compensation. Next, we can help preserve any existing evidence and gather all evidence we will need to prove the elements required to show negligence. We also handle all correspondence with the insurance companies involved and represent your interest as we negotiate on your behalf.
Our slip and fall attorneys in California can represent your interests at every stage of your claim, including taking your case to court if necessary.
For a free case review, contact us today. The accident attorneys in our Sacramento office can evaluate your case and help you get the compensation you deserve.
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Start with a free consultation. We listen to what happened, how it’s affected your life, and what you need to move forward.
You’ll have a direct line to our attorneys. We keep communication open and ensure you always know what’s happening with your case.
From day one, we go all in—gathering evidence, negotiating with insurers, and preparing for trial if needed. You pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
California slip and fall victims generally have two years from the date of their injuries to file a claim for damages. Though there are exceptions to the deadline.
Yes, you can sue the city if the sidewalk was poorly maintained and caused your injury, provided you can prove negligence on their part.
Slip and fall cases can take months to years to settle, depending on complexity and whether the case goes to trial.
As a family run California law firm we pride ourselves in providing every client personal attention and representation. The outstanding results we have gotten for our fire clients are a direct result of our commitment to understanding and presenting all aspects of their case.
Hear from our previous clients about the relationships we build together.
It was a pleasure to work with Brooks and Margot. They were very knowledgeable, honest, helpful, and thoughtful. They explained the legal details to me, so I had a thorough understanding of all aspects of my case.
I was injured in an accident and was in need of a lawyer. John and his staff were amazing! They made themselves available to me at any time for questions and responded to my emails quickly.
Brooks has a long-established, respected reputation as a skilled trial attorney and a record of proven success.