What is the legal definition of a “slip and fall”?
In California, a “slip and fall” is a type of personal injury accident in which a person slips, trips, or falls due to a dangerous condition on someone else’s property and sustains an injury. A “slip and fall” can happens on any type of property, including private residences, public spaces, or businesses. In order for a “slip and fall” to be legally actionable, the person who owns or is responsible for upkeep of the property must have been aware of the dangerous condition or unreasonably failed to repair or remove it. The injury must also have been caused by the dangerous condition. For example, if a person slips on a wet floor in a store, and the store owners had previous knowledge of the wet floor and did not fix it, the injured person may be able to pursue legal action. Additionally, the property owner must have either created the dangerous condition or allowed it to exist. Examples of dangerous conditions that can cause a “slip and fall” include slippery floors, debris in aisles, uneven stairs and walkways, lack of railings, and failure to shovel and salt sidewalks. Generally, the injured party has two years to file a slip and fall claim in California, so it is important to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
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