Slipped in a California Store? Here’s How to Prove Negligence
Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of personal injury in California. But when they happen in a retail store, proving negligence can be surprisingly complex. At Tulekyan Law, we’ve helped countless clients navigate these difficult claims, and one thing is clear, success comes down to documentation, legal knowledge, and aggressive advocacy.
Understanding Slip and Fall Liability in California
Under California Civil Code § 1714(a), property owners and occupiers must use reasonable care to maintain safe premises. If a store fails to clean a spill, repair uneven flooring, or warn customers of known hazards, they may be held liable for resulting injuries. But the burden falls on the injured party to prove negligence.
A slip and fall in California is not enough on its own, you must show the store knew (or should have known) about the dangerous condition and failed to act.
What Clients Typically Face After a Slip and Fall
Most clients we work with at Tulekyan Law initially feel embarrassed or unsure whether they have a case. Many delay medical treatment, thinking the pain will pass. But within days, injuries like torn ligaments, back trauma, or head injuries become impossible to ignore.
Unfortunately, insurance companies use that delay against them. They argue the injury must not be serious or was caused by something else. That’s why we urge every slip and fall victim to seek medical attention immediately and preserve all evidence.
How to Prove Negligence in a California Slip and Fall Case
To succeed in a slip and fall California lawsuit, you need to establish four key elements:
- A hazardous condition existed on the property.
- The store knew or should have known about teh condition.
- The store failed to repair, clean, or warn.
- You suffereed injuries as a direct result.
Surveillance footage, incident reports, witness statements, and medical records are often the strongest forms of evidence. At Tulekyan Law, we move quickly to preserve video evidence and secure maintenance logs before they’re deleted or lost.
Common Defenses and How We Overcome Them
Retailers frequently argue that the danger was “open and obvious,” or that the customer wasn’t watching where they were going. Some claim they had just cleaned the area, or that no employees knew about the hazard.
Our firm counters these defenses by showing industry safety standards, cleaning schedules, and employee statements, often revealing patterns of negligence.
Real-World Experience Matters
Tulekyan Law brings over 12 years of experience handling personal injury claims, including dozens of successful slip and fall cases. We’ve seen how stores try to minimize their liability and how insurance adjusters deny claims unless you bring overwhelming evidence.
Our clients are often up against well-funded corporations with powerful legal teams. That’s why we conduct thorough investigations, retain expert witnesses, and build each case with trial in mind, even if we ultimately settle.
Talk to a Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
If you slipped and fell at a store, don’t wait. Crucial evidence can disappear in days. Contact our slip and fall lawyers at Tulekyan Law now to protect your rights, preserve your case, and demand the compensation you deserve.
