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What Happens If You Slip And Fall Inside A California Store?

For the average California resident, a trip to the grocery store or the mall is no big deal. When a person slips and falls while shopping, however, the events that follow can seem anything but normal. These kinds of slip and fall accidents happen a lot more often than one might expect, but there are a few facts to know that can make the aftermath a lot more manageable.

Prevalence of Slip and Fall Accidents in California


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some shocking facts about slip and fall accidents across the nation. Health care providers see over 800,000 patients a year for reasons related to slip and fall incidents, and most involved head injuries and hip fractures. Older Californians are What Happens If You Slip And Fall Inside A California Store?the most susceptible to these types of accidents, of course, but the CDC points out that anyone can experience a sudden trip or fall. These unfortunate incidents are surprisingly the main cause of traumatic brain injuries. Such mishaps are no light matter, either; slip and falls cost the country over $50 billion in 2015 alone. Other findings by the CDC include:

  • One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.
  • Each year, 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for injuries caused by a fall.
  • More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling.

Consequences of Slip-and-Fall Injuries

Many slips and falls don’t cause injury. But one out of five of these incidents causes serious injuries such as broken bones or head injuries. These damages can make it hard for a person to run errands, engage in everyday activities or live independently.

  • Falls can cause hip, arm, wrist, and ankle fractures.
  • Falls can lead to head injuries. These kinds of injuries can be serious, especially if the victim is taking blood thinners and other kinds of medication. An older person who falls and hits their head should visit their physician immediately to ensure they don’t have a serious brain injury.
  • Many people who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities. When a person is less active, they become weaker and this increases their chances of falling.

Determining Fault in a California Slip and Fall Case

Many people assume that the store owner is at fault when a person slips and falls, but that is not automatically the case. According to the 2001 case of Ortega vs. K-Mart Corporation, a store owner is not completely responsible for its customers’ safety, but a store does have a duty to exercise reasonable care to keep the premises safe for patrons. This “reasonable care” may require store owners to regularly inspect the premises, searching for dangerous conditions such as spilled liquids on the floor, and promptly clean up the spill and/or place warnings signs around the substance.

What To Do If You’ve Slipped And Fallen In A Place Of Business

If a patron has slipped and fallen due to a spilled substance, it’s very important to note what substance was the cause of the mishap. That way, investigators can better determine how long the substance was there and whether reasonable efforts were made to properly clean up the spill. Obtain the names of employees and other witnesses.  Take pictures of the area in which the fall occurred, and reserve any clothing and footwear especially if it becomes soiled by the slippery substance. Facts always matter in determining who was at fault!

California Personal Injury Lawyer

At Los Angeles Injury Group, we understand how life-changing slip and fall accidents can be; therefore, we do everything within our power to best assist our clients in getting the compensation they deserve. We believe our clients should receive compensation for any damages and losses they’ve suffered. If you, or someone you love, received injuries in a slip and fall accident, call (424) 625-7824.

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fast settlements / speak to a lawyer today / free phone consultation

What Happens If You Slip And Fall Inside A California Store?

For the average California resident, a trip to the grocery store or the mall is no big deal. When a person slips and falls while shopping, however, the events that follow can seem anything but normal. These kinds of slip and fall accidents happen a lot more often than one might expect, but there are a few facts to know that can make the aftermath a lot more manageable.

Prevalence of Slip and Fall Accidents in California


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some shocking facts about slip and fall accidents across the nation. Health care providers see over 800,000 patients a year for reasons related to slip and fall incidents, and most involved head injuries and hip fractures. Older Californians are What Happens If You Slip And Fall Inside A California Store?the most susceptible to these types of accidents, of course, but the CDC points out that anyone can experience a sudden trip or fall. These unfortunate incidents are surprisingly the main cause of traumatic brain injuries. Such mishaps are no light matter, either; slip and falls cost the country over $50 billion in 2015 alone. Other findings by the CDC include:

  • One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.
  • Each year, 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for injuries caused by a fall.
  • More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling.

Consequences of Slip-and-Fall Injuries

Many slips and falls don’t cause injury. But one out of five of these incidents causes serious injuries such as broken bones or head injuries. These damages can make it hard for a person to run errands, engage in everyday activities or live independently.

  • Falls can cause hip, arm, wrist, and ankle fractures.
  • Falls can lead to head injuries. These kinds of injuries can be serious, especially if the victim is taking blood thinners and other kinds of medication. An older person who falls and hits their head should visit their physician immediately to ensure they don’t have a serious brain injury.
  • Many people who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities. When a person is less active, they become weaker and this increases their chances of falling.

Determining Fault in a California Slip and Fall Case

Many people assume that the store owner is at fault when a person slips and falls, but that is not automatically the case. According to the 2001 case of Ortega vs. K-Mart Corporation, a store owner is not completely responsible for its customers’ safety, but a store does have a duty to exercise reasonable care to keep the premises safe for patrons. This “reasonable care” may require store owners to regularly inspect the premises, searching for dangerous conditions such as spilled liquids on the floor, and promptly clean up the spill and/or place warnings signs around the substance.

What To Do If You’ve Slipped And Fallen In A Place Of Business

If a patron has slipped and fallen due to a spilled substance, it’s very important to note what substance was the cause of the mishap. That way, investigators can better determine how long the substance was there and whether reasonable efforts were made to properly clean up the spill. Obtain the names of employees and other witnesses.  Take pictures of the area in which the fall occurred, and reserve any clothing and footwear especially if it becomes soiled by the slippery substance. Facts always matter in determining who was at fault!

California Personal Injury Lawyer

At Los Angeles Injury Group, we understand how life-changing slip and fall accidents can be; therefore, we do everything within our power to best assist our clients in getting the compensation they deserve. We believe our clients should receive compensation for any damages and losses they’ve suffered. If you, or someone you love, received injuries in a slip and fall accident, call (424) 625-7824.


Note for the readers: This post has been derived from the use of secondary sources and the information provided has not been independently confirmed. The photos depicted in these posts are not representative of the actual accident.  Any inaccuracies will be swiftly corrected once they have been brought to the site’s attention and all requests to remove posts will be honored.

Disclaimer: This post is intended to provide general information to our readers and to honor the victims of everyday tragedies. We do not wish to cause any disrespect and none of the information contained in this post should be construed to constitute legal or medical advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and cases often turn on minor differences In fact. Do not rely exclusively on any of the information contained in this post and seek further assistance from a legal or medical professional, where necessary.

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