SLIP & FALL
Construction Site Slip and Falls
Construction sites are a common location for slip and falls. These falls are caused by various unsafe conditions, such as construction site holes, slippery surfaces, unmarked dangerous objects or areas, and failures to rope off the sites altogether. Slip and falls may result in substantial physical injuries, medical bills, and lost income. The experienced attorneys at Slatter Law Firm will aggressively fight to recover the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Slip and falls at construction sites are governed by the laws of negligence. Fault depends on which persons own, possess, or control the site where you were injured. Typically, persons responsible for property maintenance include property owners, contractors, property management companies, building managers, and landlords. The law requires these persons to maintain the site in a reasonably safe condition. As such, they must conduct routine inspections, and repair and clearly warn of any unsafe conditions.
Generally, property conditions change over time. However, construction sites quickly change as construction progresses. For example, a portion of a sidewalk may be removed, and therefore, create a hole. This hole presents a substantial risk of harm to pedestrians. After the hole is filled and the sidewalk is paved, the sidewalk may be wet and slippery, which poses another risk of a fall. As such, routine inspections of the site and roping off unsafe objects or areas are necessary.
In order to establish that the defendants were negligent, your slip and fall attorney must show the following:
- The construction site was in an unsafe condition;
- The defendants knew or should have known about the dangerous conditions;
- The defendants failed to repair or warn of the dangerous condition within a reasonable time; and
- The defendants’ failure to repair or warn of the dangerous condition was the legal cause of your injury.
However, the insurance company’s lawyer may argue that your own negligence caused or contributed to your fall and injuries, and therefore, you should be partially or fully liable for your injuries and damages. For example, they may argue that the dangerous condition was “open and obvious” to a reasonable person, and that a reasonable person would have avoided the condition. This is why it is important to hire an experienced slip and fall attorney, who will conduct a thorough investigation.
Slip and falls at construction sites often result in significant injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, bone fractures, and spinal cord injuries. Victims of these slip and falls are entitled to compensations for their injuries. If you are injured in a slip and fall, you may recover compensation for the following:
- Medical bills;
- Future medical treatment;
- Loss of income;
- Loss of earning potential;
- Scars or disfigurement; and
- Pain and suffering.
Statute of Limitations
Generally, lawsuits must be filed in Court within the applicable statute of limitations. Slip and fall cases must be filed within two years from the date of injury. If the plaintiff fails to file his or her lawsuit within such period of time, his or her case will be dismissed by the Court. As such, you should immediately contact a slip and fall attorney after your injury occurs.
Contact Us Today
Contact a Los Angeles personal injury attorney today if you or a loved one was involved in an accident involving a dangerous road condition. Slatter Law Firm has been helping individuals injured due to car accidents and slip and falls throughout Los Angeles and Southern California for over four decades. To schedule a free consultation, call our office at (310) 405-0964 or contact us online.
