At Crown & Stone Law, P.C., we help people in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and across California with slip and fall injury claims, with direct attorney access, thorough investigation, and steady, clear guidance from start to finish.
With 17+ years of experience, our approach is hands-on and trial-ready, so evidence is preserved, and liability is built carefully.
Falls can have serious consequences. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), among Californians age 65+ in 2023, falls caused 114,427 hospitalizations.
After a fall, it is normal to feel shaken or unsure what to do next, especially when you are dealing with pain, missed work, and calls from insurers.
We make the process manageable by explaining what matters in plain language, helping you organize records and timelines, and staying responsive so you are not left guessing about what happens next. If you are recovering at home or trying to keep working through the pain, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
What Is a Slip-and-Fall Claim (Premises Liability) and Why It Matters in California
A slip and fall claim is a type of premises liability case. Premises liability means a property owner, business, or manager may be responsible when unsafe conditions on their property cause someone to get hurt. These cases can involve grocery stores, apartment buildings, hotels, parking lots, office buildings, or private homes.
A fall itself is an accident. A legal claim is what happens when you can show the injury was connected to negligence, such as a preventable hazard that was not fixed or properly warned about.
Examples include wet floors without caution signs, uneven walkways, broken steps or handrails, poor lighting, and debris in aisles.
Most slip and fall claims focus on a few building blocks:
- Duty of care
- Breach
- Causation
Early action matters because evidence can disappear quickly: spills get cleaned, surveillance video can be overwritten, and witness memories fade.
Also, if your fall involved a city, county, or other public entity in California, Government Code § 911.2 generally requires you to present an injury claim within 6 months of when the claim accrues.
Our Slip and Fall Services in California
- Slip-and-fall injury claims
- Premises liability investigations
- Hazard documentation support
- Evidence preservation planning
- Liability strategy development
- Insurance claim management
- Medical record coordination
- Direct attorney case guidance
- Litigation and trial preparation
Why Choose Us for a California Slip-and-Fall Case
We focus on building a clear, evidence-backed story from day one.
- Direct attorney access, start to finish: You work with an attorney throughout your case. This matters when quick decisions come up, like recorded statement requests or what to document before conditions change.
- Investigation built for real-world pushback: We target the details that decide cases, like maintenance logs, incident reports, cleaning schedules, prior complaints, and inspection routines.
- A plan for “they’re blaming you” defenses: Comparative fault is common. We anticipate arguments (shoes, distraction, “open and obvious” hazards) and build counter-evidence like measurements, visibility angles, weather conditions, and slip-resistance issues.
- Guidance when symptoms show up later: Pain often changes after the adrenaline wears off. We help you document the timeline and treatment in a way that makes sense to an adjuster or jury, without overstating anything.
- Prepared to litigate if needed: Some claims don’t move until the other side sees you’re organized and ready to prove liability in court. We build each case with that level of readiness.
Common Slip-and-Fall Hazards in California Properties
Many slip-and-fall injuries start with a property condition that should have been fixed, cleaned, or clearly warned about. If you are trying to understand what caused your fall, look for these common hazards and think about what proof might still exist.
- Wet floors: Mopping, rainwater near entrances, or recently cleaned hallways can be dangerous when there is no visible caution sign. Helpful evidence can include photos of the area, the absence of signage, and the shoes you were wearing.
- Broken steps or crumbling stair edges: Chips, cracks, or uneven stair treads can catch a foot and cause a hard fall. Photos of the step, close-ups of damage, and a note of which step number it was can matter.
- Missing or loose handrails: A handrail that is missing, wobbly, or poorly anchored can remove a key safety support. If possible, document where the rail should have been and whether others noticed it was loose.
- Poor lighting: Burned-out bulbs in stairwells, parking garages, or hallways can hide hazards. Evidence may include pictures showing shadows or darkness and details about the time of day.
- Uneven sidewalks or raised pavement: Tree roots, broken concrete, and lifted slabs are common outside stores and apartments. Measure the height difference if you can and take wide and close photos showing the location.
- Loose rugs or curling mats: Entry mats and area rugs that slide or buckle can cause sudden slips or trips. Photos of the underside, lack of grip, or curled edges can help explain how it happened.
- Spills in aisles or leaking machines: Grocery and convenience stores can have spills from products, leaking refrigerators, or ice machines. Receipts, employee names, and witness contact information can help confirm timing and notice.
- Debris in walkways: Cords, boxes, fallen merchandise, or trash left in a path can create a trip hazard. Photos from multiple angles and witness names are often useful.
Who Can Be Liable: Owner, Landlord, Business, Contractor, or Government
In California, more than one party can be at fault. Liability usually depends on control (who managed the area), maintenance duties (who had to inspect/repair/warn/clean), and notice (who knew or should’ve known).
Possible liable parties:
- Property owners (homeowners)
- Landlords / HOAs (common areas)
- Businesses / commercial tenants (areas they control)
- Property managers
- Contractors/vendors (janitorial, repairs, landscaping, etc.)
- Event venues/hosts (and their vendors)
- City/county/state agencies (public property—special rules and deadlines)
Identifying the right party usually requires records, maintenance history, and witness details..
What to Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall in California
Falls can cause serious harm, and quick, steady actions matter.Use the steps below as a practical checklist to protect your health and preserve useful information if you later decide to pursue a claim.
1. Get medical care right away. If you hit your head, feel dizzy, or have severe pain, call 911 or go to urgent care or the ER. Some injuries are delayed.
2. Report the incident on-site. Tell the manager, property owner, or supervisor what happened and where. Ask that the hazard be documented.
3. Take photos and video before conditions change. Capture the hazard (wet floor, broken step, torn carpet), lighting, warning signs, and your path of travel. Include wide shots and close-ups.
4. Avoid recorded statements and casual fault talk. Stick to the facts. If an insurer calls quickly, it is okay to say you are not ready to give a recorded statement.
5. Track symptoms and expenses daily. Save medical records, receipts, missed work notes, and write down pain levels and limitations.
What Compensation Can Cover After a Slip and Fall
If negligence caused your fall, compensation is meant to cover how the injury affected your health, income, and daily life. Value depends on the diagnosis, recovery time, lasting symptoms, and proof of fault/notice.
Common damages in California cases include:
- Medical bills (ER, imaging, surgery, meds, follow-ups)
- Future care (ongoing treatment or long-term needs)
- Rehab (PT/OT and related care)
- Lost wages (missed work time)
- Reduced earning capacity (limits on future work)
- Pain and suffering (pain and daily limitations)
- Out-of-pocket costs (equipment, travel, home changes)
Supporting damages usually requires medical records/bills, work records, and clear notes on day-to-day impact.
Deadlines to Know in California (Including Government Claims)
After a slip and fall, timing matters almost as much as evidence. In California, personal injury lawsuits are often subject to a two-year statute of limitations from the date of injury. If you miss the deadline, the court can dismiss the case, even if the underlying facts are strong.
There are also situations where the timeline is shorter or different. For example, if the injured person is a minor, or if the fall was not discovered right away because symptoms showed up later, the start date for the deadline may be disputed.
Another common complication is identifying the correct defendant, such as when a property is owned by an LLC, managed by a separate company, or controlled by multiple parties.
About Crown & Stone Law, P.C.
Crown & Stone Law, P.C. serves Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and clients across California with a steady, preparation-first approach built for high-stakes injury claims.
Clients work with their attorney directly, not a rotating cast of case managers, after the first call.
Direct attorney access means your questions get answered in plain English and your decisions are informed at every stage, from the initial investigation through negotiation and, when needed, litigation.
Our cases are driven by facts. Crown & Stone Law, P.C. emphasizes deep investigative rigor, including identifying responsible parties, preserving time-sensitive evidence, analyzing accident mechanics, and building a liability strategy that anticipates defenses.
That preparation supports trial readiness, which can matter when a property owner or insurer refuses to take injuries seriously.
If you are deciding who should handle a serious fall injury claim, it helps to understand what the process looks like from day one.
Our Client Process in California
- Intake + timeline: We get your story, build the incident timeline, and identify witnesses and key contacts.
- Medical documentation: We guide treatment tracking and the records that matter (imaging, work limits, symptoms).
- Evidence preservation: We secure time-sensitive proof like video, logs, and hazard photos.
- Liability + notice: We build the case around who controlled the area and what they knew or should’ve known.
- Demand + negotiation: We prepare the demand package, handle insurers, and keep you updated on decisions.
- Litigation if needed: If they won’t be reasonable, we file and push through discovery and deadlines.
- Resolution: We explain settlement paperwork and disbursement step-by-step.
What Customers Say
“When I spoke with Avi, I immediately felt that ease. He was patient and reassuring.” – Marquise Lewis
After a slip and fall, it is normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure what to do first. This feedback reflects a calm, steady approach where clients feel heard, supported, and guided without pressure.
“He breaks it down in a clear, straightforward way that makes a complicated situation much easier to understand.” – Vier David Martín
Premises liability claims can involve timelines, notice issues, medical records, and insurance steps. Clients appreciate clear explanations in plain language so they can make informed decisions at each stage.
“Throughout my case I never felt alone or out of the loop.” – Julio Montenegro Jr.
Strong communication is not just a nice-to-have when you are injured. This speaks to consistent updates, real accessibility, and a process that feels organized instead of confusing.
“Communication was on point… kept me updated.” – Alan P
Insurance claims and investigations move fast, and silence can add stress. This review highlights responsiveness and follow-through so clients know where things stand and what to expect next.
“You guys fought tooth and nail and got me the best possible options.” – Rock Nova
Slip-and-fall cases often involve pushback on liability, the seriousness of injuries, or who should pay. This reflects determined advocacy and practical strategy focused on building options through evidence and persistence.
Local Resources We Work With in California
- California Courts Self-Help Center
- Los Angeles Superior Court
- City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services (sidewalk/street hazard reports)
- Caltrans (state roads/ramps issues)
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (unincorporated-area infrastructure/drainage)
- California Department of Industrial Relations (workplace injury resources)
- California Department of Consumer Affairs (license lookup/complaints)
- California Department of Social Services (assistance programs)
- Covered California (health coverage)
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Request a Consultation
If you were hurt in a slip and fall, it is normal to feel unsure about what to do next. A consultation is a chance to share what happened, get clear guidance, and understand what a claim may involve before you make major decisions.
When you reach out to Crown & Stone Law, P.C., you can expect a calm, step-by-step conversation with direct attorney access.
Schedule your consultation today.
