Will I work directly with my attorney?
Yes. Avi Muhtar, the founder of Crown & Stone Law, handles every case himself, from the first call back to resolution. There are no case managers. Your call is answered 24/7, and if your case is a fit, Avi calls you back himself the same day. Once you hire the firm, you get his direct line, which rings to his cell, and during business hours he usually responds within an hour.
At Crown & Stone Law, P.C., we help people hurt in falls around Pacific Palisades figure out who is responsible and what to do next, with direct access to the attorney handling the case. Our founding attorney has held an active California Bar license since 2008 and is a National Trial Lawyers Top 100 attorney in Los Angeles County.
A slip and fall claim is a premises liability claim: a claim that whoever owns or controls a property failed to keep it reasonably safe. In the Palisades, that could be a private owner or contractor, or a public agency such as the City of Los Angeles, and more than one party can share fault.
A personal injury claim against a California public entity must be presented within six months under Government Code Section 911.2. That is much shorter than the two-year window that generally applies to private property owners.
We carry the investigation and the insurer calls, and we meet by phone, video, or at your home or hospital. A full overview of local help covers our other injury work in the neighborhood.
Why Pacific Palisades Clients Choose Crown & Stone Law, P.C.
Direct Attorney Access From Day One
Your case stays with the founding attorney, licensed by the State Bar of California (#260728) since December 2008. You get answers from the lawyer handling your claim, not a rotating case manager.
Investigation Into Who Controlled The Property
We examine site conditions, records, and accident mechanics to determine whether an owner, a contractor, the City of LA, or a utility controlled the spot where you fell. The same evidence-first approach applies to injury claims after a crash.
Persistence When Fault Is Disputed
In one stadium case, a client fell twice near a concession stand, and the stadium argued season-ticket fine print waived the right to sue. The firm challenged that defense and prepared every case for trial if an insurer would not move.
Available 24/7, By Phone, Video, Or In Person
Reach us any hour, with video calls or home and hospital visits. You can stay in your temporary housing instead of driving Sunset Blvd or PCH for a meeting.
Recognized By Independent Sources
The firm is named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 (Los Angeles County) and received the 2024 Avvo Clients’ Choice Award. It also holds BBB A+ accreditation and a 4.8-star Google rating from 90+ reviews.
In Our Clients’ Own Words
“He truly cares for his clients and you speak to him directly through the entire process.” – Ken Walker
Testimonials do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
What If I Fell On A Sidewalk, Street, Or Public Property In Pacific Palisades?
You may have a claim against the City of Los Angeles or another public agency, but it starts with a formal written government claim, generally due within six months of the fall. California’s usual injury deadline is two years.
Responsibility for a sidewalk fall can be shared among the City, the adjoining owner, a rebuild-site contractor, or a utility, depending on what caused the hazard. Sorting that out is central to holding a property owner accountable.
Crown & Stone Law investigates who controlled the spot, pulls maintenance logs and prior complaints, and analyzes how the hazard caused the injury. Preserve what you can now:
- Photograph the broken pavement, debris, missing railing, or dark stretch before it is repaired.
- Keep the shoes and clothing you wore.
- Write down witness names and phone numbers.
- Get a written incident report from any owner, contractor, or HOA involved.
- Ask that nearby surveillance video be saved before it is overwritten.
- Keep medical records linking your injury to the fall.
If displacement has scattered your photos or paperwork, records can often be rebuilt from providers, witnesses, and old devices. This is general information, not advice on your specific case.
What We Do For Clients In Pacific Palisades
Crown & Stone Law, P.C. handles every part of slip and fall representation for people hurt in Pacific Palisades.
- Wet floor fall claims
- Uneven sidewalk injuries
- Stairway and handrail falls
- Retail and restaurant falls
- Apartment and HOA hazards
- Poor lighting falls
- Surveillance footage preservation
- Property owner notice analysis
- Waiver and release disputes
- Government property claims
What Types Of Compensation Can I Recover In A Slip And Fall Case?
Under Civil Code section 1714, anyone who owns or controls a property owes others a duty of reasonable care. When a breach of that duty causes a fall, damages can include:
- Medical bills, from the emergency room through physical therapy
- Future medical care, such as surgery or ongoing treatment
- Lost wages for time missed at work
- Reduced earning capacity if the injury limits future work
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of daily life
Falls on steep hillside steps or broken walkways can cause fractures or serious head injuries, and long-term care costs belong in the claim.
The amount depends on the severity of the injury, your recovery, and how clearly negligence can be shown. California uses comparative fault, so any blame assigned to you reduces your recovery but does not erase it.
Insurers often argue they had no notice of the hazard, that it was “open and obvious,” or that a contractor or tenant was responsible. Some ask for an early recorded statement or make a quick, low offer before the full injury is known. No outcome can be guaranteed.
How Long Do I Have To File A Slip And Fall Claim In California?
Most slip and fall claims in California must be filed within two years of the injury under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Falls on public property follow a shorter rule: a written government claim generally must be filed within six months under Government Code section 911.2.
The deadline depends on who controlled the spot where you fell:
- Private lot, home, or business: generally two years to file in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
- City of Los Angeles sidewalk or street: a six-month government claim comes first.
- State beach or park land, such as near Will Rogers State Beach or Temescal Canyon: a six-month government claim to the state.
Around Palisades rebuild sites, one hillside walkway or stairway can involve a lot owner, a contractor, and the City at the same time. Identifying who controlled it early keeps every option open.
Get To Know Crown & Stone Law, P.C.
Crown & Stone Law, P.C. is a client-first personal injury firm serving Beverly Hills and clients across California, including people hurt in falls in Pacific Palisades. The founding attorney stays personally involved from the first conversation through resolution, and the firm is reachable 24/7.
Each case is built on investigation: evidence analysis, accident mechanics, and a liability strategy that works out who controlled the property, with full preparation to litigate if an insurer will not engage fairly. The firm’s attorney holds an active California Bar license (State Bar #260728, admitted 2008), has been named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 for Los Angeles County, and received the 2024 Avvo Clients’ Choice Award.
From First Call To Resolution
1. Case Review, Any Hour
Reach the firm 24/7 by phone, video, or evening call, or ask for a home or hospital visit. You work directly with Avi, who explains where things stand.
2. Evidence Preservation And Scene Investigation
The walkway, steps, or rebuild site is documented before conditions change, and footage and permit records are requested. Scattered photos and records can often be rebuilt from old phones, medical providers, and witnesses.
3. Medical Documentation
Treatment records are gathered from wherever you now receive care to connect the fall to your injuries.
4. Liability And Notice Analysis
The investigation identifies who controlled the property: an owner, a contractor, the City of LA, a utility, or a state agency. If a public entity is involved, a government claim is generally due within six months, so that deadline is tracked from the start.
5. Insurer Communications And Demand
The firm handles insurer calls and letters, then presents a documented demand. Each offer is explained to you.
6. Litigation Filing If Needed
If fault is disputed, the case can be filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
7. Mediation, Settlement, Or Trial
Preparation continues as if a trial will happen, which keeps strategy steady when an insurer pushes back.
8. Resolution
The attorney walks you through the outcome, closing paperwork, and any medical liens.
Slip And Fall FAQs For Pacific Palisades
Who Is Responsible When I Fall On Private, HOA, Rental, Or Commercial Property That Is Still Construction-Affected?
Whoever owned, managed, or controlled the area can be responsible, and more than one party can share fault. An HOA usually controls common walkways, a landlord or tenant may control a rental, and a contractor can be responsible for debris or temporary paths on a rebuild lot. Crown & Stone Law, P.C. reviews permits, contracts, and site records to identify who controlled the property.
Can I Still Recover If The Insurer Says I Was Partly At Fault For Not Watching My Step?
Yes. California follows pure comparative fault, so your recovery is reduced by your share of blame, not erased. Photos, lighting conditions, and how long the hazard was there often answer the “you should have seen it” argument.
What If I Fell On A Cracked City Sidewalk Or On State Park Or Beach Property Along PCH?
These claims fall under the California Government Claims Act, which generally requires a written claim within six months. The claim must show a dangerous condition the agency knew or should have known about.
Does Signing A Waiver Or Ticket Fine Print Mean I Can’t Bring A Claim After A Fall?
Not always. California courts read waivers narrowly, and a release generally cannot excuse gross negligence. In a stadium slip-and-fall, Crown & Stone Law, P.C. challenged the venue’s argument that season-ticket fine print waived the client’s right to sue.
How Do I Keep Surveillance Footage From Being Erased If I’m Displaced And Can’t Get Back To The Area?
Many security systems overwrite video within days or weeks. A written preservation letter asks the owner, contractor, or agency to save it, and your attorney can send it remotely.
What Injuries Are Common After A Fall On Hillside Steps Or Slick Coastal Walkways?
Fractures and head injuries are common, especially on steep stairs. If numbness or weakness lingers, see how spinal cord damage progresses over time.
Local Resources in Pacific Palisades for Slip and Fall Cases
- Los Angeles County Superior Court, Santa Monica Courthouse
- Los Angeles County Superior Court, Stanley Mosk Courthouse
- Los Angeles Office of the City Clerk
- California Department of General Services Government Claims Program
- StreetsLA Bureau of Street Services
- Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety
- MyLA311
- LAPD West Los Angeles Area
- California Department of Parks and Recreation Angeles District
- Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors
- UCLA Health Santa Monica Medical Center
- Providence Saint John’s Health Center
Request A Case Review For Your Pacific Palisades Slip And Fall
When an insurer disputes fault, the firm takes over the back-and-forth.
Crown & Stone Law, P.C. is available 24/7 by phone, video, or a home or hospital visit to hear what happened and explain where things stand.
Call us today!
